The third iteration of “the Match” is reportedly in the works. But it is missing a big, big name.
According to Sportico, a website that covers sports business, Turner Sports is moving forward with another made-for-TV exhibition on Thanksgiving. Dubbed “The Match 3: Champions for Change,” Phil Mickelson is returning for his third appearance in the series. Joining the five-time major winner is Peyton Manning, who played with Mickelson in May’s Match event.
However, Tiger Woods is not expected to be part of the Thanksgiving gathering, according to Sportico.
Woods had battled Mickelson in the first Match in 2018 at Shadow Creek (site of this week’s PGA Tour event, the CJ Cup, in Las Vegas) and in May at Medalist in Hobe Sound, Fla. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who was also involved in the Medalist foursome, will not play due to its conflict with the NFL season.
Substituting for Woods and Brady will be Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors and NBA Hall-of-Famer and TNT broadcaster Charles Barkley. Curry is a scratch golfer who has competed in Korn Ferry Tour events, is in talks to host his own PGA Tour event, and has funded the golf program at Howard University. Barkley was part of Turner’s broadcast team for the Match’s first two competitions.
Capital One is expected to return as a title sponsor, with historically black colleges and universities the likely beneficiary of the money raised by the event.