Closest-to-pin distancing wins

Mcilroy’s shot collects charity Skins mega-pot

Rory Mcilroy delivered the money shot Sunday as live golf returned to television for a Skins game that revealed plenty of rust and raised more than $5 million for COVID-19 relief funds.

Mcilroy and Dustin Johnson, who had not won a skin since the sixth hole, had a chance to win the final six skins worth $1.1 million on the final hole at Seminole in the Taylormade Driving Relief exhibition. Both missed and they returned to the par-3 17th for a closest-tothe-pin contest.

From a forward tee at 120 yards, Matthew Wolff was 18 feet below the hole. His partner, Rickie Fowler, missed the green. Johnson found a bunker. Down to the last shot, Mcilroy barely stayed on the shelf left of the pin, measured at 13 feet.

“Air five,” Mcilroy said, alluding to the social distancing in place at Juno Beach, Florida.

The final carryover gave Mcilroy and Johnson $1.85 million for the American Nurses Foundation. Fowler, who made seven birdies, raised his finger and Mcilroy said, “Did you hear all those cheers?” There were no fans, and fewer than 50 people were at Seminole. All were tested for the new coronavirus.

That was the start of golf ’s return.

Next up is another exhibition match on May 24 down the road at Medalist, where Tiger Woods plays when home.

Woods and Peyton Manning will face Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in a match billed as “Champions for Charity” that will raise $10 million for COVID-19 relief efforts.

The real show is to return June 11 with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas. The tour has said it will not allow fans for at least a month, and perhaps longer depending on it goes.

At Seoul, South Korea, Park Hyun-kung shot a final-round 67 to win the Korean Open by one stroke in a return to official live tournament play after the coronavirus pandemic.

Park had a four-round total of 17-under 271 on the Lakewood Country Club course. Fans were prohibited.

Bae Seon-woo (68) and Lim Hee-jeong (71), who led by three strokes after the third round, were tied for second.

LPGA:

Courtesy Pgatour.com Rory Mcilroy, right, celebrates his closest-to-the pin shot with teammate Dustin Johnson at the Taylormade Driving Relief exhibition.