Female Golfers Make History at Capital One’s The Match Tournament
History was made at the ninth edition of Capital One’s The Match tournament as female golfers teed off for the first time. The event, held at The Park in West Palm Beach, Florida, brought together stars from the LPGA and PGA Tour, including Lexi Thompson, Rose Zhang, Rory McIlroy, and Max Homa. The tournament, known for its charitable causes, raised $38 million across its previous eight iterations. Each of the 12 holes in this year’s event was worth a specified amount for charity, with the player who raised the most money being crowned the winner. The tournament supported First Tee, a youth organization chaired by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, which aims to develop children’s social skills through golf.
The tournament was broadcasted on TNT, with coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. The commentary team included Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley from ‘Inside the NBA,’ along with Trevor Immelman, Christina Kim, Kathryn Tappen, DJ Khaled, and Paul Bissonnette. The event was also simulcast online via TBS, truTV, HLN, and the Bleacher Report app. TNT Sports, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which owns CNN, was responsible for the coverage.
One of the standout players in the LPGA corner was Lexi Thompson. Thompson made history as the youngest ever US Women’s Open qualifier at just 12 years old in 2007. She turned professional in 2010 and quickly lived up to expectations by winning the Navistar LPGA Classic just over a year later, becoming the then-youngest-ever winner of an LPGA tournament. Thompson has since added 10 more titles to her name, including a major triumph at the 2014 Chevron Championship. In October, she became just the seventh woman ever to compete in a PGA Tour event at the Shriners Open. Although she fell short of making the cut, Thompson arrived in Florida confident in her ability to compete with the PGA Tour’s finest.
Rose Zhang, a Stanford University student, also made her mark on the game. Zhang turned professional in May after becoming the most decorated player in the history of women’s amateur golf. She signed off by winning back-to-back individual NCAA national titles, a feat never achieved before by a women’s golfer. Less than two weeks later, Zhang won an LPGA tournament on her pro debut, defeating major champion Jennifer Kupcho in a sudden death playoff. Despite having a statistics exam at Stanford, Zhang couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play against PGA stars. She described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” and an honor to compete with the best in the world on the PGA side.
The event also featured some friendly trash talk between Max Homa and Rory McIlroy. Homa, who was experiencing The Match for the first time, was excited about the format and believed it was perfect for him. Known for his entertaining presence on social media, Homa has engaged with fans by inviting them to send in videos of their swing technique for him to “roast.” McIlroy, a four-time major champion, was looking to set the record straight after suffering a defeat in the previous edition of The Match. He believed that the inclusion of female golfers could elevate the women’s game and provide a different platform for showcasing their skills.
The Match tournament brought together top golfers from the LPGA and PGA Tour, creating a unique and exciting event. With female golfers making history and competing alongside their male counterparts, the tournament showcased the talent and skill of these athletes. The charitable aspect of the event added another layer of significance, raising funds for First Tee and supporting children’s development through golf. Overall, The Match proved to be a thrilling and memorable tournament for both players and fans alike.