Golf: Rory McIlroy Triumphs in The Match 9, Raises $2.4 Million for Charity
Rory McIlroy has secured his first victory in The Match 9, a 12-hole skins match held at The Park golf course in Florida against Max Homa and LPGA stars Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang, earning $2.4 million for charity. In a skins game, players compete for a prize on each hole, usually money. If no-one wins the hole, then the prize is added to the next hole instead.
The Northern Irish golfer dominated the early part of the game, securing six of the first eight skins, while Lexi Thompson claimed the other two with a spectacular eagle putt.
In a unique twist, McIlroy revealed on the par-5 12th hole that a friend was donating an additional $500,000, bringing the total remaining stakes to $1.6 million. However, as no player was able to claim the final four holes as Max Homa matched McIlroy's birdie on the final hole, the match came to a tiebreaker.
The tiebreaker, a closest-to-the-pin challenge from 100 yards, saw McIlroy triumph with a precise wedge shot to just over four feet, securing victory as none of his opponents could match his effort.
McIlroy's win marked his first victory in The Match series, having previously lost in The Match 7 with Tiger Woods against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Notably, this edition featured female competitors, including rising star Rose Zhang, who expressed excitement about being outside her comfort zone, saying, "It just makes me so excited to see what's to come."
McIlroy's triumph, securing 10 of the 12 available skins, resulted in a total charity contribution of $2.4 million. Reflecting on the experience, McIlroy highlighted the fun of playing alongside Max Homa, Rose Zhang, and Lexi Thompson, emphasising the great atmosphere at the facility. The event showcased the dynamic nature of The Match series and left fans eager for more exciting matchups in the future.
