Golf returned Sunday – a wonderful, strange, socially distant return.
For the first time in more than two months, golf came back to TV screens everywhere for the TaylorMade Driving Relief skins game. All eyes were on Seminole Golf Club making its grand television debut. All eyes were on the players. Could golf be played safely? Would it be fun to watch?
In the end, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson defeated Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff in a sudden-death, closest-to-the-pin challenge. The day proved a rousing success, even if DJ nearly forgot his bag on the 18th tee box.
Here’s how the pros reacted to golf’s return on social media.
JT couldn’t get enough of DJ’s ball marker
DJ must have lost all his coins during the break. Love the tee as a ball marker 😂
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) May 17, 2020
Lee Westwood still hasn’t forgotten Paul Azinger’s European jabs
🤣🤣🤣 I just LOL’d! https://t.co/NIWz7r4MSW
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) May 17, 2020
Cameron Percy confirms what we were all thinking
I think l have played Seminole 4-5 times. Never played it and not putted off a green.
— cameron percy (@cameronpercy1) May 17, 2020
A new match in the works?
K I have an idea. Me vs. Tiger. Loser has to partner with the winner at next year’s Zurich team event
— max homa (@Maxhoma) May 17, 2020
Seminole’s design is great…
The 13th & 17th holes at Seminole are among two of the best par 3’s in the US. Shortish with beautifully bunkered green complexes. I counted 3/8 GIR by the guys.
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) May 17, 2020
But its length isn’t any more
Not sure Donald Ross designed 16 as a driveable par 4 😱
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) May 17, 2020
A former U.S. Open champ sums it all up
9 weeks of rust, some dodgy facial hair and a seriously tricky golf course making these guys look average so far……but like you, I’m on the couch watching it. Great cause and great to watch some live sport. #DrivingRelief
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) May 17, 2020
Rory says thanks
Great day with @DJohnsonPGA, @RickieFowler and @matthew_wolff5.
— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) May 18, 2020
Thank you to everyone who tuned in and donated. Over $5.5 million in donations for COVID-19 relief so far👏👏👏https://t.co/nZewpmZC2m #DrivingRelief pic.twitter.com/RknAiyxMxc