Watch the Golf Channel Games as Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler battle in a unique golf competition this December.
Aug 28, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy walk of the 18th green during the final round of the TOUR Championship golf tournament.
Photo Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Golf’s two biggest stars will face off in a unique made-for-television competition this December, as Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler prepare to captain opposing teams in the inaugural “Golf Channel Games.”
Prime Time Golf Competition
The event will air live in primetime on Wednesday, December 17, from Trump National Golf Club Jupiter in Florida, broadcasting simultaneously on Golf Channel and USA Network. The competition promises to showcase golf’s elite players in a series of rapid-fire, timed challenges designed to test skills under pressure.
McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April, will go head-to-head against Scheffler, who captured both the PGA Championship and British Open this year. Each star will lead a four-man team through various skill-based competitions.
Innovative Challenge Format
The Golf Channel Games will feature four distinct competitions that blend traditional golf skills with time pressure and strategic elements:
Timed Drive, Chip, & Putt: Players compete individually to achieve specific targets—driving a total number of yards, chipping within designated proximity to pins, and holing a certain number of feet of putts—all while racing against the clock.
14-Club Challenge: A unique closest-to-the-pin competition where two players share a single bag containing all 14 clubs. Once a club is used by either player, it’s eliminated from play. All eight participants will compete across four total matchups.
Timed Shootout: Teams play alternate shot across three holes with teammates strategically positioned, one on the tee, one in the fairway, and two around the green. The goal is to achieve the best score in the shortest time.
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Captains’ Challenge: McIlroy and Scheffler face off directly in a skills competition featuring shots from predetermined locations, including 100-yard wedges, bunker shots, and putts of varying distances. The captain with the lowest combined distance from all holes wins.
Scheffler and McIlroy Both Embrace Innovation
Both golf superstars expressed enthusiasm for the new and rather unique format. “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.”
Scheffler echoed the excitement: “The Golf Channel Games will be a great mix of skill, strategy, and pressure. 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 viewers.”
Expanding Golf’s Entertainment Value
The competition represents golf’s continued effort to attract new audiences through innovative formats that showcase player personalities and skills in non-traditional settings. By incorporating time pressure and team elements, the Games aim to create excitement typically reserved for traditional stroke-play tournaments.
The December timing positions the event as a postseason showcase, giving fans additional golf content during the sport’s quieter winter months while highlighting the year’s biggest stars in a relaxed but competitive environment. Whether it will move the needle or not is yet to be seen, however, kudos to golf for trying something new here.
Additional details about the six remaining players who will join McIlroy and Scheffler are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, building anticipation for what promises to be a unique addition to golf’s television landscape.
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