Special to The Post
| Palm Beach Post
Rory McIlroy’s birdie gives Europeans lead in all 4 Ryder Cup afternoon matches
Rory McIlroy’s birdie putt on the 14th hole put European teammate Shane Lowry and him ahead of the United States’ Justin Thomas and Cameron Young.
The competition features a new format with unique challenges testing players’ long-game, short-game, and putting skills.Other world-class players participating include Shane Lowry, Luke Donald, Keegan Bradley, and Sam Burns.
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, the top two golfers in the world, will compete head-to-head and captain two teams of world-class players at the Optum Golf Channel Games Dec. 17 at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter.
McIlroy, ranked No. 2 in the world, will be joined by Shane Lowry, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and Haotong Li in the one-of-a-kind competition where the players showcase their long-game, short-game and putting skills.
U.S Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley will join top-ranked Scheffler along with Sam Burns and Luke Clanton.
McIlroy and Scheffler competed head to head at the Ryder Cup in September at Bethpage Black. Scheffler defeated McIlroy in singles, 1-up, on the final day, but the Europeans won the competition. It was McIlroy’s lone loss in five matches (3-1-1) and Scheffler’s only win after going 0-4 the first two days.
The Golf Channel Games will begin at 7:30 p.m., and will be broadcast live nationally on Golf Channel and USA Network.
“The ‘Golf Channel Games’ bring a fresh approach to golf, inspired by events like the NFL Combine and all-star games from top professional leagues,” McIlroy said. “They give players the chance to showcase their skills across unique challenges and offer fans a new way to enjoy the game in the postseason. I am looking forward to competing in this new, fun format.”
General admission tickets are $81. Premium patron tickets are available for $380 that include signature Trump Smash Burgers and other grilled entrées, wraps, and non-alcoholic beverages. Premium ticketholders also get access to prime viewing locations. Parking is included.
Tickets are now on sale at thegolfchannelgames.com.
Optum Golf Channel Games challenges
The Optum Golf Channel Games, with its innovative new format, will be comprised of the following challenges:
Timed-Drive Competition – Players compete in head-to-head duels with two minutes on the clock and must combine power and accuracy to launch drives into a scoring grid.Timed Short-Game Competition – A combination of chipping and putting precision is required as players hit shots from multiple locations around the green before tackling a gauntlet of putts from varying distances – with three minutes to complete both challenges.14-Club Challenge – Two Players, One Bag – Two teams of two players from each side will square off in the 14-Club Challenge, drawing a club from a single bag (including driver and putter) in a closest-to-the-pin competition from a designated distance in the fairway. All 14 clubs must be used, seven shots per player per side – and once a club is used, it’s out. Each team will also pick a player to hit a lefty 15th shot.Timed Shootout – A four-player alternate shot over four holes with teammates staged on the tee (1), in the fairway (1) and around the green (2). The goal is to finish with the best score in the shortest amount of time … the clock is running!Captains’ Challenge – Rory vs. Scottie – Each player hits from predetermined locations. Shots will include iron shots from a variety of distances, as well as wedge, pitch, bunker shot, greenside shot, 30-foot putt and 10-foot putt
“The ‘Golf Channel Games’ will be a great mix of skill, strategy and pressure,” Scheffler said. “This will be a brand-new way for the players and the fans to experience the game of golf. Everyone knows how competitive we are and I think the ‘Golf Channel Games’ will be an innovative competition that will engage the spectators and viewers. I’m excited to be a part of this.”
