Getting sports back does wonders for the soul. But as NASCAR’s return at Darlington shows, until fans can attend, there’s still work to be done for the local economies.Â
Rory McIlroy came up big at the end as McIlroy and Dustin Johnson paired up against Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff for a charity skins match Sunday.
Rory McIlroy came up big when facing one shot for $1.1 million.
After raising $5.5 million for COVID-19 relief during Sunday’s TaylorMade Driving Relief skins match, golf fans can continue to support the cause with donations through PGA TOUR Charities powered by GoFundMe. Click here for more information and to donate. Donations can still be made through midnight Tuesday. The Golf Channel will re-air the match on Tuesday afternoon. Sunday’s match at Seminole in Florida between the teams of Rory McIlroy-Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler-Matthew Wolff was the cornerstone of a charitable effort as live televised golf was played for the first time since the golf calendar was shut down two months ago due to the coronavirus pandemic. With neither team able to win the decisive 18th hole, the match went to a closest-to-the-pin contest from 120 yards at the par-3 17th, with the six final skins available for $1.1 million. McIlroy, the reigning FedExCup champ and world No. 1, won the contest with the final shot of the day, as his ball finished closer than Wolff’s. The final skins increased the total charitable skins winnings of McIlroy-Johnson to $1.85 million for the American Nurses Foundation. Fowler-Wolff won $1.15 million for the CDC Foundation. The UnitedHealth Group donated the $3 million for the skins contest. “It’s different,� McIlroy said when asked about the pressure of playing for charity. “When you’re not playing for your own money, but you’re playing for someone else and playing for another cause, it sort of starts to weigh on you a little bit. “I’m really proud to be a part of an event to entertain the people at home on a Sunday afternoon but also to raise money for people who really need it.� In addition to the charity money raised through the skins, Farmers Insurance also donated a $1 million bonus pool for bonuses for birdies, eagles, aces and albatrosses. The bonus money earned benefits Off Their Plate, through World Central Kitchen that helps both frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers and impacted restaurant shift employees. “In this unprecedented time, it is important for all of us to come together and work together to solve this crisis,� said Jeff Dailey, CEO of Farmers. Seventeen birdies were made by the four players: 7 for Fowler, 5 for McIlroy, 3 for Wolff and 2 for Johnson. TaylorMade also offered a $450,000 bonus pool for the longest drives on two holes. Wolff won both bonuses at both the second hole (356 yards for $100,000) and the 14th hole (368 yards for $350,000). “I’m happy to raise a lot of money with the long drives,� Wolff said. Additional donations during the match totaled more than $1 million, thanks to sponsor donations from Mastercard, Rocket Mortgage and PGA TOUR Superstore, along with viewer and donations that raised nearly $600,000.
NFL cornerbacks DeAndre Baker and Quinton Dunbar were released from Broward County Jail on Sunday, a day after surrendering on felony charges stemming from a cookout at a Miramar home. Baker posted a $200,000 bond after a Zoom hearing with Broward Circuit Judge Michael Davis. The New York Giants defender is charged with four counts of armed robbery with a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm in the Wednesday incident.
President Trump continued to trumpet the return of sports during Sunday’s charity golf match, saying he’s eager to see “tens of thousands” of fans at PGA events soon.
A total of four NFL players have been arrested over the last three days.
Park Hyun-kung shot a 67 on Sunday to earn a one-stroke win in the KLPGA Championship, which was played without fans in Seoul, South Korea.
The 10-part documentary series continues Sunday on ESPN and the ESPN App.
Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson posted a photo of all the things he had to do himself at Darlington. Brad Keselowski also took to Twitter to show his new normal, a pre-race lunch he had to make for himself. Kyle Busch’s car failed inspection twice before Sunday’s race at Darlington Raceway and the reigning Cup champion will drop to the back of the field at the start.
