Many years ago names like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer made The Skins Game one of golf’s most fun post-Thanksgiving traditions. But after K.J. Choi’s win in 2008, the series went extinct.
Well, that all changes on “Black Friday” November 28, when The Skins Game returns featuring four of the game’s best players. Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood, Keegan Bradley and Shane Lowry. The Irishman replaced Justin Thomas after JT announced last week that he’d undergone back surgery. The exhibition will take place at Panther National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a course co-designed by Nicklaus and Thomas.
Here’s what you need to know to follow all the action.
FORMAT
If you’re unfamiliar with skins, here’s the rundown. Each hole is worth one point, or one “skin.” If three players par the first hole, but the fourth makes a birdie, the fourth player wins the skin (the point for that hole). However, if two or more players tie for the lowest score on the hole, the skin carries over to the next hole, meaning that hole is now worth two skins. The rolling over continues until one player wins the hole outright. There could be a situation on Friday where a hole is worth five or six skins (maybe more).
For this edition of The Skins Game, there will be a “reverse purse.” So, instead of all four players starting at $0, Schauffele, Fleetwood, Bradley, and Lowry will each start the event with $1 million to their name. As skins are won throughout the match, fans at home will be able to watch each player’s account go up and down. Drama!
HISTORY
https://www.skratch.golf/news/golf-culture/history-of-the-skins-game
HOW TO WATCH
Coverage of The Skins Game kicks off at 9 a.m. ET exclusively on Prime Video. Andrew Catalon, Colt Knost, and Skratch’s own Dan Rapaport will serve as the broadcast team.
