SO WHO said it can’t be done?

The Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Charity for Covid-19 relief took off in smashing success on May 25, 2020 brushing off fears it might end up a dud.

Instead, it exceeded expectations, defying doomsday cynics as television viewership hit record high figures.

With fans worldwide watching the battle on their TV sets, the return bout between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson proved that big-time golf is back—minus live audiences.

From the first up to the last tee shot, Woods and Mickelson, each of them having football legends as partners, fought fiercely, wrapping up a rain-soaked dramatic 18-hole duel in Florida’s Medalist fairways in grand fashion.

After Woods and Peyton Manning went 1-up in three holes, they poured it on, building up a 3-up lead and never looked back. They eased up in the homestretch to settle for a 1-up victory over Mickelson and Tom Brady.

In a way, the win avenged Woods’ 2018 loss to Mickelson in their US$9-million Las Vegas match.

There was not much breast-beating, high-fiving action, maybe because only prestige—and, yes, ego—was at stake for the protagonists.

But it sure made heroes out of the four icons, considering that their collective act collected $20 million, doubling the targeted $10 million for the coronavirus relief.

Not only that.

They’d be tickled pink to learn that by drawing 5.8 million viewers, The Match became the most-watched cable TV sports show in history.

With four channels in America and CNN International airing the 18-hole contest, viewership even peaked to a stunning 6.3 million.

So who needs a gallery amid the pandemic?

Make way for The Colonial in Texas on June 8-14, marking the return of the PGA Tour.

If there’s such a thing as work-from-home, I say watch-from-home is golf’s answer to Covid-19.

Cheering very much allowed even.

MILESTONE. Happy birthday (June 2) to Coach Dayong of San Miguel Beer. I’m the type who isn’t hard to please. So, how about miki-bihon guisado on my dinner plate? More summers to come your way, Coach!