In early October, I wrote about the return of the Skins game with more excitement than I’ve felt about a golf event in years. Was that kid sprawled out on the living room floor watching Nicklaus and Palmer fight for real money? He’s still here somewhere, and this Friday morning he’ll be reliving it all over again.
The wait is almost over.
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Friday morning, just after 9am
This Black Friday, while most Americans are either escaping a turkey coma or fighting crowds at the mall, I’m going to do what I did when I was a kid: watch a Skins game. Prime Video will rebroadcast it at 9 a.m. ET. Let me tell you right now, this is reservation television.
Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele, Keegan Bradley. Four of the best players in the world. Course designed by Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas. 18 holes where every shot counts because there’s real money at stake.
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This is not an exhibition of people doing activities. This is pressure golf with a twist, and that’s what made the original so special.
What made me fall in love with this format?
I’ve spent nearly 30 years in this industry. 17 years as a PGA professional and coach. I’ve seen every format, every gimmick, every attempt to make golf “more exciting” on TV. Most of them are beside the point.
Skins games were never like that.
There was something pure about it. 4 elite players. Simple rules. Win the hole outright and get the money. tie? It carries over and suddenly the next hole is worth twice as much. Naturally, the tension will increase. No need for manufactured drama.
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I still remember Lee Trevino’s hole-in-one in 1987. I was only 12 years old, but it’s still in my memory. Greg Norman skinned it all in 2001 and walked away with all $1 million. Fred Couples has earned the nickname “Mr. Skins” by completely dominating this event each year.
Those moments stayed with me because they felt real. The players were attentive. You could see it in their eyes after every important putt.
Why this year’s field is perfect
When I heard Fleetwood, Lowry, Schauffele, and Bradley play, I knew they were right. They understand the meaning of this event. they know the history. they respect that.
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Fleetwood is the 2025 FedEx Cup champion. Schauffele has two majors. Bradley is the captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, which just won the Travelers this summer. Rory brings the Irish fire that we all love.
But what really matters is that they have personalities. They can talk shit. They can handle pressure. They know how to put on a show without making it feel forced.
I laughed out loud when I heard the words from last week’s press conference. Lowry joked that Keegan had already paid him and Tommy extra not to talk about the Ryder Cup. Bradley retorted that he didn’t have a walkie-talkie in his hand, just a golf club, and that this was his chance to get back at them.
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That’s the energy needed for this event.
new twist
Something is different this year. All four players start at $1 million. They contribute to the pot for each hole. the goal? You end up having done more than you started with. Otherwise, you’ll end up going home with empty pockets.
This adds a whole new level of pressure. It’s not just about winning money. It’s about not losing what you already have. Every hole is calculated. Every decision has weight.
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I love it.
Panther National: The perfect stage
Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas co-designed this course. An unusual elevation change in Florida. Water is sprinkled on 14 of the 18 holes. Island vegetables. Island T-shirt. This place was built for moments like this.
Thomas and Schauffele are both Panther National ambassadors, so they know every field and every angle. That may be an advantage. Or maybe the pressure is on when they are expected to perform on their home turf.
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Either way, the stage is set.
Set an alarm
Friday morning. Prime Video 9am. The Skins Game is back for the first time in 17 years.
I watch it with the same excitement I had when I was a kid. Maybe you will too. Maybe you can introduce your children to this format and create new memories.
This is what Thanksgiving weekend golf should be like. This is not a corporate exhibition. It’s not just a flimsy made-for-TV event. Just 4 great players, real bets, and the way golf was meant to be played.
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See you Friday morning.
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This article was originally published by Athlon Sports on November 26, 2025 and first appeared in the Golf section. Click here to add Athlon Sports as your preferred source.
