The Match IX: Rory McIlroy, Charles Barkley, and More Best Moments in Palm Beach

Birdies and banter galore. That’s how Monday night went down at the Park in Palm Beach Gardens. Rory McIlroy nailed six birdies and won three holes in the match. But what earned him the title was the amount of money—$1.9 million—he raised, the highest among the group. McIlroy also found a new friend, it seems, but no, it’s not Max Homa. 

The tone for the game was set early, courtesy of Charles Barkley, who looks like becoming a regular here, either on the greens or in the booth. Fans sure aren’t complaining, though. Barkley, the 2020 champion with Phil Mickelson, had to taste defeat in a par-3 challenge with DJ Khaled amid smack talks coming from both sides. There was a lot to unpack in the span of a few hours. So, here are the best moments from the ninth edition of Capital One’s ‘The Match’ that you might have missed. 

Barkley and Homa’s fencing of wits in the Match

What’s the Match without some good old-fashioned banter? And when roastmaster Max Homa was in the field, Charles Barkley couldn’t resist himself. When Homa’s drive landed near the bush, Barkley quipped from the other side, “No worry about it, Max, ain’t no people over there… You might kill a skunk or something; now go hit a person.” Once again, the PGA Tour pro found himself in a tough spot a little later. Barkley had only one piece of advice for him. Play crossword puzzles for the rest of the game. That’s what he said.

Rose Zhang has made a new friend in the Match

Rose Zhang is slumped in her studies. This was her only second time on the greens after the HGV Tournament of Champions. Nevertheless, when she did come to the Park it didn’t take long to make new friends: Rory McIlroy. Both were spotted chatting by the cart. Zhang, of course, was excited before, as she had grown up watching men’s golf. “Being able to tee up alongside someone like Rory and Max that I’ve kind of looked up to ever since I started golf, kind of a really cool turnaround moment for me,” said the 20-year-old.

Lexi Thompson has fast reflexes

Golf doesn’t lean too heavily on reflex, but it can come in handy if you’re ever in a situation like Lexi Thompson‘s. The 11-time LPGA tour winner nailed her putt to win the first skin worth $200,000. Zhang, Homa, and McIlroy came to congratulate her. A quick fist bump with Zhang was followed by a high-five with Homa, before another fist bump with the Ulsterman within a span of a few seconds. That prompted Christina Kim from the booth to commend her fast reflex. That’s something she learned from the fast greens, Thompson quipped later.

Read More: ‘I’m in 100%’: As Lexi Thompson Hints at a Brand-New Career Move, Golf World Expresses Overwhelming Support For the LPGA Superstar

DJ Khaled thought he was one of the competitors in the Match? 

Apparently, DJ Khaled thought he was playing alongside Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Rose Zhang, and Lexi Thompson. The No Laying Up podcast tweeted that the Canadian rapper reached Palm Beach Garden a day ahead, thinking he would tee up at the charity event. Allegedly, the confusion was due to the fact he was actually set to tee up against Charles Barkley at a par-3 challenge, which he won, by the way. 

The mixed-gender event was an instant hit among fans. In fact, there have been calls for such events since the Grant Thornton Invitational last December. While The Match fills in the void, it has increased the appetite of golf fans for more such events.

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