DRIVING RELIEF: Rory McIlroy Wins First Televised Golf Event In Months

Golf fans have been waiting weeks and weeks now for anything to get excited about and this past weekend delivered the first televised event for golf fans in months. And at the end of the skins charity match, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson came out on top.

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For those who watched the event, you saw the two teams of McIlroy/Johnson and Rickie Fowler/Matthew Wolff go head to head at Seminole Golf Club for charity. And for the fans who decided to tune in, they got a lot more action than they may have expected. After 18 holes, the two teams were tied and it came down to a closest to the pin challenge on the 17th hole. McIlroy won that challenge over Wolff to give his team the win.

The best part about this whole event might have been the organic nature that surrounds it. Since there were no caddies, no spectators, and no distractions, fans got a unique experience of seeing how these players perform without all the glam. Fans were able to catch some smack talk on camera and just natural interactions that you would never see in a spectator filled event.

Let the trash talking begin. #DrivingRelief pic.twitter.com/nbHrAg8W7r

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2020

On top of that natural feel, the event also showed many fans that even the professionals can play a round like the common man. Dustin Johnson was the epitome of that point on Sunday. He carried his own clubs facing backward with one strap over the shoulder, admitting he honestly forgot how to correctly carry his own bag. He also used a tee as a ball mark, a classic move by many casual players, while other players hit some poor shots you wouldn’t normally see.

While all of this was fun and good for the players and fans alike, I think the best part of the event was all the money earned for charity to fight COVID-19. Since the match was so close down to the end, both teams nearly split all $5 million up for grabs in the match to give to their respective charities. And since it was tied, that extra $1.1 million earned for McIlroy’s side from the closest to the pin challenge gives even more money to the research that is desperately needed.

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While this was a good little preview for professional golf, fans will certainly be craving the return of a full schedule as planned in June. So until then, everyone should do what they can to stay healthy and safe so we can get back to regular golf every weekend once again.