The Match is back, and just like previous iterations, this one comes with a twist.
For the first time in the made-for-TV event’s history, two of the top players in women’s golf will join stars from the men’s game in a 12-hole match under the lights.
And unlike all but two of the eight previous editions of the Match, there will be no teams. Instead, Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang will all be playing against each other, every player for themselves in a 1 v 1 v 1 v 1 format. The action begins at 6:30 p.m. ET Monday.
Here is everything you need to know about The Match IX.
Who is playing in The Match?
There are no amateurs in this edition of The Match after last summer’s edition consisted of four other professional athletes: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
This time, Rory McIlroy will be making his second appearance in the match while Max Homa, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang all make their debuts.
Zhang represents the outlier of the quartet, at just 20 years old while her opponents are all seasoned vets, 29 (Thompson) or older.
Zhang and Thompson’s inclusion in the franchise shouldn’t come as a surprise after the success of the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour’s mixed team event, the Grant Thornton Invitational, late last year. Both Zhang and Thompson played in that event.
McIlroy’s first The Match appearance came teamed with Tiger Woods against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in December 2022.
What time does The Match start, and how can I watch it?
The Match begins at 6:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT, truTV, and HLN. The B/R Sports Add-On on Max will also have a simulcast of the event.
Where is The Match being played?
The Match IX will be played at The Park West Palm Beach, a public track in South Florida, marking a departure from previous host sites that were private or exclusive resort courses.
While the Park does have a nine-hole course with lights for regular play (named the “Lit 9”), Turner Sports is putting up temporary lighting to play the event in prime time on the Park’s full-length Gil Hanse/Jim Wagner/Dirk Ziff design.
What is The Match format?
Instead of match play like all previous editions, The Match IX will employ a 12-hole, 1 v 1 v 1 v 1 skins format. The skin values, which will be donated to the First Tee in the name of the winner, will progressively increase throughout the match.
– Holes 1 thru 4: $100,000 each
– Holes 5 thru 8: $150,000 each
– Holes 9 thru 11: $200,000 each
– Hole 12: $500,000
In addition to the skins, the four par 3s will have closest-to-the-pin challenges for an additional $100,000 and if any player makes a hole-in-one on those holes, $1 million will be donated on the player’s behalf.
All four players will use the same tees on those holes (3, 5, 8 and 11), but different ones on the par 4s and par 5s based on gender.
What are The Match odds?
Rory McIlroy, the only major winner among the quartet, is the betting favorite at +170, according to BetMGM. Max Homa follows at +250 while both Zhang and Thompson are going off at +350.
Who’s on the commentary team?
Much of the commentary team from last summer’s The Match returns with Ernie Johnson handling play-by-play duties as host with Charles Barkley and Trevor Immelman once again providing color analysis. Kathyrn Tappen also returns as the on-course reporter.
LPGA golfer Christina Kim will also be joining the broadcast as an analyst.
However, the real twist will be the addition of Grammy-winning producer and artist DJ Khaled and TNT personality Paul Bissonnette as “special contributors.” The pair will follow the action and provide commentary from a golf cart.
How much money is up for grabs?
There’s no purse for The Match, but all the money up for grabs will be donated to charity on behalf of the winning players. This year’s charity is the First Tee.
Per a release, the previous eight editions of The Match has raised more than $38 million for various philanthropic organizations across the United States.
