All eyes will be on the famed Seminole Golf Club this weekend for competitive golf’s long-awaited return.
Current and former world No. 1s Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson will take on fan favorite Rickie Fowler and PGA Tour rising star Matthew Wolff in TaylorMade Driving Relief, a made-for-TV, $3 million charity skins match on Sunday, May 17, to support COVID-19 relief.
The event is supported by UnitedHeath Group, which has pledged a total of $3 million to the American Nurses Foundation and CDC Foundation. Farmers Insurance also has pledged a $1 million “birdies-and-eagles pool.”
Fans at home can get in on the action by contributing to the fundraising efforts from home via online donations and Text-To-Give options powered by GoFundMe. Simply text ‘DRIVINGRELIEF’ to 41-411. Standard text rates apply.
Here’s everything you need to know for TaylorMade Driving Relief:
ODDS/BEST BETS: Get in on the TaylorMade Driving Relief action
When and where
Sunday, May 17 at Seminole Golf Club (36-36=72/7265 yards) in Juno Beach, Florida. Said McIlroy of the famed Donald Ross layout: “one of the most revered golf courses in the world.”
No fans or spectators will be permitted on site.
How to watch, listen
TV: 2-6 p.m. ET (NBC, Golf Channel, NBCSN, Sky Sports)
Streaming: Available via PGA TOUR LIVE (NBC Sports Gold and Amazon Prime Video), GOLFPASS, GolfChannel.com and GOLFTV. Pre-match coverage, as well as the first two holes, will stream on Twitter.
Radio: PGA TOUR Radio will provide live play-by-play coverage on SiriusXM and streaming on PGA Tour Digital platforms.
Format
It’s pretty simple: 18-hole, two-person team Four-ball skins match with carry overs. Each player plays his own ball, with the lowest score winning. Most money at the end wins.
From the press release:
Each team starts with $500,000. The sum of the remaining $2 million will be claimed during the skins match. Holes 1-6 are worth $50,000; Holes 7-16 are worth $100,000; the 17th hole is worth $200,000; and the 18th hole is worth $500,000. In the event the 18th hole is tied, players will play the 17th hole from approximately 125 yards. If that hole is tied the skin will be decided by a closest-to-the-hole competition from the same shortened distance at the 17th hole. If regulation play ends after 5:45 p.m. ET, only the closest-to-the-hole competition will take place.
Additional funds will be awarded during the competition through Birdies and Eagles sponsored by Farmers Insurance. If one team makes multiple under-par scores on a hole, that team would receive an additional $25,000 for each birdie and $50,000 for each eagle.
What they’re saying
“It’s been difficult to witness what so many are enduring over the last several weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. … I hope we can provide some respite and entertainment for those tuning in across the globe.” – Rory McIlroy.
“I’m really excited to team up with Rory and to get back out on the golf course. Seminole is a great venue and it will be cool to show it to the world through this event. I’m sure Rickie and Matthew will be ready for us, but hopefully Rory and I can take them and help generate a lot of money and support for charities and those affected most by COVID-19.” – Dustin Johnson.
“When I heard about this event, I couldn’t get involved fast enough. It’s special to be able to have an impact and raise charitable contributions through our sport and to do it with Matthew as a partner. I know how much I have missed sports and golf, especially, so to be one of the first events returning to television is very exciting and I’m proud to have Farmers, one of my sponsors, be a partner of this event as well. Playing aggressive has never been a problem for Matthew and me so we should have no issue testing the birdies-and-eagles bonus pool that has been backed by Farmers Insurance $1 million pledge.” – Rickie Fowler.
“I’m fired up to play alongside Rickie and raise money to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts. Rory and DJ have welcomed me to team TaylorMade with open arms and become great friends so I can’t wait for a fun competition against us Cowboys. Rickie and I are ready to bring our best and more importantly
help the frontline heroes getting us through this extremely difficult time. Special thanks to the PGA Tour, NBC, TaylorMade and all our partners for the opportunity. See you at Seminole!” – Matthew Wolff.
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