It turns out there\u2019s still a place for what amounts to the \u201csilly season\u201d in golf.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Skins Game returned<\/a>\u00a0under a slightly different format \u2014 held on Black Friday instead of the weekend after Thanksgiving, and a reverse purse that added to the stakes. It wasn\u2019t as must-see as when it began in the 1980s, but it was a fun option before football started.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Grant Thornton Invitational<\/a>\u00a0is now mixed team, a big improvement.<\/p>\n Next up might be the most compelling of all. The \u201cGolf Channel Games\u201d makes its debut Wednesday night at Trump National in West Palm Beach, Florida, featuring teams led by Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, the two biggest names in golf.<\/p>\n They will compete for points in five competitions, most of them where time is a factor, that include a driving grid, chipping and putting, and a 14-club challenge in which a club is out of the rotation once it has been used.<\/p>\n \u201cJust the opportunity to showcase our game in a different way,\u201d McIlroy said. \u201cSort of lean into other sports in a way, like the NFL combine or the 3-pointer contest in basketball or the Home Run Derby in baseball. It\u2019s just a chance to try something new.\u201d<\/p>\n McIlroy\u2019s team features his Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald, best mate Shane Lowry and Haotong Li of China, who rarely lacks for entertainment. Scheffler has his Ryder Cup captain, Keegan Bradley, best mate Sam Burns and Luke Clanton.<\/p>\n The time clock should keep it moving \u2014 two minutes for the driving challenge, three for the short game and one format of alternate shot with players positioned on the tee, fairway and two around the green. Lowest score in the shortest amount of time wins.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be a fun way to compete at the end of the year for us, in a time where there\u2019s not a ton of stuff on the golf calendar,\u201d Scheffler said.<\/p>\n Both team captains are geared for this. Scheffler is renowned for competing in all sorts of games with the older pros at Royal Oaks, whether it was a putting contest or trying to hit the pole on the driving range.<\/p>\n The 14-club challenge has his attention, especially if a putter is all that\u2019s left for a full shot.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll probably try and use a backup putter for the 14-club challenge,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m definitely not going to be out on the range ripping full putters trying to figure out that shot. I\u2019m just going to figure that one out as naturally as possible within the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n McIlroy said he grew up playing two balls and kept the worst score and best score on each hole. And he recalled some fun games they did during commercial shoots, one in particular.<\/p>\n \u201cThey actually made me do a flop shot over Tiger, and I was probably as nervous as I\u2019ve been in a long time,\u201d McIlroy said. \u201cHis body is already banged up. I didn\u2019t want to add to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Last chance<\/p>\n Two players are worth noting at the\u00a0Mauritius Open this week<\/a>\u00a0with the Masters on their minds.<\/p>\n Ryan Gerard is No. 57 in the world ranking and likely would need to finish fourth to move into the top 50 in the final ranking and earn a spot at Augusta National. Dan Brown of England is No. 72 and would have to win to have a chance.<\/p>\n Otherwise, Sam Stevens would hang on for a top-50 spot. That would give the Masters field five American professionals who have yet to win on the PGA Tour.<\/p>\n Canter\u2019s decision<\/p>\n Laurie Canter played the inaugural season on LIV Golf when he didn\u2019t have full status on the European tour. When there was no room for him in the Saudi-funded league, he returned to the European tour, won enough to crack the top 50 in the world and this year earned one of the 10 PGA Tour cards through his finish on the Race to Dubai.<\/p>\n