'The Match' Raises $20m for COVID-19 Relief
May 29, 2020
On May 24 PGA legends Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods came together again for the second installment of The Match, a transformation of the 2018 event - this time to raise funds for the fight against the coronavirus.
However, to make things a bit more interesting Mickelson and Woods teamed up with two of the NFL’s top players, Tom Brady and the recently retired Peyton Manning. Teams of Woods/ Manning and Mickelson/ Brady had sports fans everywhere buzzing about the event.
Kevin Hopkins, tournament director said, ““When you have the names that we have, we always knew the golf audience would want to see what Tiger and Phil would be doing, and then you add Tom and Peyton in and their audience they bring,” he said. “On the competitive side, I think it’s a must-watch. I think we have something for all sports fans.”
However, once the coronavirus pandemic hit Hopkins new the event had to shift its original direction. “Really all of that credit should go to the players, who came together and said let’s raise some money and let’s provide some joy into people’s lives.” Hopkins said referring to the four athletes involved wanting to raise as much money as possible for Covid-19 relief efforts. From there The Match: Champions for Charity was born.
This past weekend, at the Medalist Golf Club in Florida, the stage was set with an initial goal to raise $10 million. Despite the hour rain delay to start the event and showers moving in and out throughout, the day was a massive success.
Online donations flooded in during all 18 holes from people all over, including many famous athletes and celebrities. In the end, the original goal of $10 million was doubled for a grand total of $20 million to help fight the global pandemic.
"It's great, the fact that we all came together and we were able to raise $20 million for those that have been so severely affected," Woods said in an interview after sinking the winning putt on the 18th green.
Ecstatic to take part in such a great event for an even better cause was his partner Manning, "To be behind the ropes in these guys' worlds, to be in the arena with them, it was really a special experience. I was not comfortable the entire time. Knowing $20 million was raised and helping people going through tough times, it was an honor to be invited.”