Pro golf to return with skins match

Professional golf is back. It will return in two weeks.

Well, sort of.

The PGA Tour on Monday announced a May 17 skins game exhibition featuring Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff. The match, which is officially called “TaylorMade Driving Relief ’’ and features a $3 million purse provided by UnitedHealth Group — all of which will go to the American Nurses Foundation and CDC Foundation to aid in their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic — will be televised from 2 to 6 p.m.

It will take place at Seminole Golf Club, one of the most storied and exclusive golf venues in the world (Tom Brady reportedly joined as soon as he signed with the Buccaneers) and one that has never conducted a televised tournament.

So while a chance for golf fans watching at home to be inside the gates of Seminole — which is located in Juno Beach, Fla., — and see what it looks like will be part of the draw, the event more importantly features live televised golf for the first time since The Players Championship canceled after its March 12 opening round in response to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus.

This skins event, from which an additional $1 million is being donated by Farmers Insurance for a birdie and eagle pool that will go to “Off Their Plate,” an organization that provides meals to healthcare workers, has officially been announced by the PGA Tour, which must approve any of these kinds of events.

“We are excited about the safe and responsible return of live golf and the opportunity to raise significant funds for those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic through the TaylorMade Driving Relief event,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said Monday in a statement. “With four of the PGA TOUR’s top stars in Rory, Rickie, Dustin and Matthew of Team TaylorMade participating and UnitedHealth Group serving as the foundation of charitable giving, and Farmers Insurance providing an additional bonus pool, golf fans around the world can look forward to a unique, interactive and entertaining event that will help those in need.”

The 18-hole match will be televised by NBC, Golf Channel, NBCSN with free streaming available on PGA Tour Live, GOLFTV, Golfpass and Golf Channel.