The Match VII will be the most important yet, with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy facing Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. It doesn’t get any better.
The four stars will play a 12-hole show under lights at Pelican Golf Club, Belleair, Florida on Saturday. Woods, who hasn’t played on the national scene since St. Andrews in 2003, pulled out of the Hero World Challenge last Wednesday due to plantar fasciitis. Woods confirmed that he is fit to play during a Zoom call earlier this week.
Bryan Zuriff has a long history in Hollywood, including executive producing “Billy Donovan” TV series and “War Dogs” movies. Recently, he sat down to talk with Golfweek about the future of the event.
The Match: Watch, Format
Shane Bacon, Golf Channel’s director of programming, suggested that there might be an undercard when this edition was revealed.
Given the number of eyes on Tiger-Rory and JT-Spieth’s big show, I would love to see some undercard matches before the main event. Get an LPGA player involved. Tom Kim and other international studs can get involved. You can use the platform to grow your game of golf!
Shane Bacon (@shanebacon November 4, 2022
Although it makes perfect sense, and would allow for the growth of all sports, is it possible?
Zuriff stated, “Everything is a consideration but then it comes to budget and cost.” Everything sounds great until you actually put it down on paper. Then, look at the results. It’s difficult enough to do the work we do for the four people we are focusing on. However, it’s not easy to implement other gimmicks. They may sound great in the press but they don’t always make the product more effective.
“Certainly looking to expand. Just don’t know where it’s going yet.”
The Match was held in Las Vegas (Florida, Arizona, Big Sky, Montana) during the six previous installments. Zuriff replied that Vegas is the best.
He smiled and said, “I still like Wynn. I just love Wynn.” From a production standpoint, I like the ease of it all. The background with the golfers in summer is what I like. But we’re open. I would go anywhere. It all comes down to production and cost. Are stars going to want it?
“It becomes complicated when you get into all the details.”
Zuriff talked to Golf.com about Phil Mickelson’s future plans with his program. (Mickelson was present in the first four installments).
“I love Phil, and he’s been an amazing part of this. Zuriff stated that he is aware of the situation. He went where he went and we are connected with the PGA Tour. This is a PGA Tour event… but that was a decision he made. He knows that you have to make choices. This is one of those things.
Zuriff is positive that Woods will return to the arena, and believes the right environment will allow him to do so.
“I think the setting for him is great — 12 holes, cart, he can make some really amazing shots. This has been an interesting year for golf, so expect some great perspectives between Charley Barkley (and him) and the other golfers. This match is full of great information.
The Match VII coverage starts at 6 p.m. ET Saturday, Brian Anderson hosts “The Conversation”, a roundtable discussion of the four participants lasting 30 minutes.
TNT officials stated that no topic would be off-limits.
