By: Max Bechtoldt
Rose Zhang and Lexi Thompson will join PGA Tour stars Rory McIlroy and Max Homa in the newest edition of The Match.
The Match has become a strong brand for Turner Sports ever since the first playing of Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson in 2018. Since that first showing, it has featured sports superstars like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Stephen Curry, Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes. Now, LPGA stars Rose Zhang and Lexi Thompson join that list.
This will be the ninth time The Match is played, and will feature Lexi Thompson, debatably the biggest name on the LPGA Tour, teaming up with Rory McIlroy. They will take on rising superstar Rose Zhang paired with Max Homa at The Park Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Fla.
This event will be played on Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. et, using an under-the-lights format. They will play 12 holes, with four being par 3s where each of the players will play from the same tees. Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Trevor Immelman, Kathryn Tappen and Christina Kim will commentate.
This represents a notable shift for The Match. A needed one. Pairing two PGA Tour stars with two LPGA Tour stars will help grow the game in a tangible way, and should be must-see TV.
