Historic Seminole Golf Club in South Florida was a fitting host to an event that raised valuable funds for COVID-19 relief, whilst also helping to sate the appetites of a golf-starved audience.
Playing in their first professional event since THE PLAYERS was cancelled in March due to the fast unfolding pandemic, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson took the honours in the TaylorMade Driving Relief supported by UnitedHealth Group after a nearest the pin playoff against Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff.
“I didn’t know whether to tell it to get up, get going, stay long or stay short,” said McIlroy of his approach at the playoff hole. “Matt hit a decent shot in. It’s only 120 yards, but it’s a tough shot, so to see it land on the green and stay there (was nice).”
“I’m really happy,” he added. “It was an awesome day playing with D.J., Matt and Rickie, playing for a great cause. It’s been awesome, and it was nice to get back on the golf course and get back to some sort of normalcy.”
“I care so much and I’m trying to raise so much money, so I was a little nervous starting off the day,” added Wolff, who won both long drive contests on offer despite the presence of two of the world’s long bombers in McIlroy and Johnson.
“But I settled down and I’m happy to raise a lot of money with the long drives.”
With the Korean LPGA becoming the first professional Tour to resume full field events in this past week, the PGA TOUR is now crossing its fingers for a return at the Charles Schwab Challenge, set for June 11-14 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
