The cast of characters is a little different this time, and so is the setting, but the entertainment value should be all the same. So, if your Friday plans include lounging on the couch as opposed to opening your wallet, read on and learn four things you need to know about The Match 3.
As mentioned earlier, the participants in this match will differ from past editions. The original Match featured Woods and Mickelson, while teams were implemented in The Match 2. Teams will again be used this time around, but only one participant will be a professional golfer.
Mickelson will be paired with NBA Hall of Famer and famously inept golfer Charles Barkley, while their opposition will feature retired quarterback Peyton Manning and NBA superstar Steph Curry. Manning showed off his skills in the The Match 2, while Curry is a notoriously formidable golfer. It should make for an interesting, and competitive, match.
2. Money for charity
Like The Match 2, The Match 3 will also be for a good cause. This time, the charitable contributions will go toward Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), benefitting diversity and inclusion around the country.
Ahead of The Match 3, Mickelson took it a step further and announced a massive, $500,000 donation to Jackson State University, an HBCU in Jackson, Miss.
“I am not knowledgeable, I am not qualified to talk about race, okay?” Mickelson said on the 21st & Prime podcast Tuesday. “As a white male, I’ll never be able to understand the challenges that Black America goes through, but I want to be part of the solution.”
Those donation numbers will only go up as play goes on Friday afternoon.
In the last two weeks, we've seen Augusta National, Cameron Champ and Phil Mickelson pledge funding to HBCU's across the country.
Even more expected Friday via The Match III, with Steph Curry, who has sponsored the golf teams at Howard University.
The previous Match was a handicapped, fourball match. This time around, the format they will implement is modified alternate shot.
In this format, each player will hit their own tee ball and then hit their partners ball for the second shot. From there, the teams can choose which ball to play out the hole with using standard alternate shot rules. This wrinkle will add a fun twist while making sure that each player gets involved on every hole.
4. Charles tees
Barkley is leagues behind the other three competitors in this event, so he’ll get his own set of tees to play from. These shorter tees, deemed by Mickelson as the “Charles tees,” should give Barkley an advantage that offsets his putrid ability off the tee.
Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.
