9 things to know about the latest Match

Charles Barkley is back. But he is the only returnee. There will also be no benefits.

Golf is also played over two days.

They were among the quick takeaways from Thursday’s announcement of the 10th game of the match, which will be played on Thursday 21 November and Friday 22 November at Breakers West Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. What else do you need to know?

Let’s ask and answer nine relevant questions.

1. So who is everyone playing?

As mentioned, for the second time since joining forces with Phil Mickelson to play Peyton Manning and Steph Curry in 2020, Barkley is joining the NBA Hall of Famer with seven sports and entertainment celebrities – actor Bill Murray, perhaps best known among golfers’ fans for his play with greenskeeper Carl Spackler in the movie “Caddyshack;” actor Mark Wahlberg, who has an enviable golf course in his backyard; hockey hall of famer Wayne Gretzky, who is also the father-in-law of pro Dustin Johnson; comedian Nate Bargatze, the star of this recent golf sketch on “Saturday Night Live;” swimmer Michael Phelps; baseball hall of famer Ken Griffey Jr.; and former basketball star Blake Griffin.

2. Wow, eight players. What is the format?

On Thursday, Nov. 21, Murray and Gretzky’s team will play Barkley and Griffey’s team, and Wahlberg and Phelps’ team will play Bargatze and Griffin’s team in scramble matches. The winning pairs will then play singles matches on Friday 22 November.

3. What are they playing for?

A million dollars.

4. Why no benefits?

There are probably a few reasons. Celebrity golf has always been a thing, and YouTube golf is undoubtedly on the rise. Notably, the PGA Tour will play its final tournament of the year that week – the RSM Classic – although the bigger names are likely to sit out.

5. Wait, wasn’t another match announced?

There was – but it won’t use Match branding, even though it will be produced by the group that developed Match. This matchup – in lowercase – will pit PGA Tour stars Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler against LIV Golf stars Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau and will be played on Tuesday, December 17 at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.

6. Speaking of LIV Golf, will the league have any involvement in this match?

Yes, through an analyst on course. LIVES Bubba Watson will be part of the broadcast team and will be joined by analyst Trevor Immelman and announcers Ernie Johnson and Kathryn Tappen.

7. Will this really be the 10th game of the match?

Yes, the first one was played five years ago. Here is an overview:

Match 1: Mickelson vs. Tiger Woods in 2019 (Our story can be found here.)

Game Two: Woods and Manning vs. Mickelson and Tom Brady in 2020 (story here.)

Game Three: Mickelson and Barkley vs. Manning and Steph Curry in 2020 (story here.)

Game Four: DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers vs. Mickelson and Brady in 2021 (story here.)

Game Five: Koepka vs. DeChambeau in 2021. (Story here.)

Game Six: Rodgers and Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in 2022 (story here.)

Game Seven: Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth vs. Woods and McIlroy in 2022 (story here.)

Game Eight: Mahomes and Travis Kelce vs. Curry and Klay Thompson in 2023 (story here.)

Match nine: McIlroy, Max Homa, Rose Zhang and Lexi Thompson (skins play) in 2024 (story here.)

8. How can I see this?

It will be shown in prime time on TNT and Max.

9. Should I watch this?

Up to you! The mood will be light and so is televised golf.

But we know celebrity golf might not be your thing.

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