The Skins Game was an unofficial-money event on the PGA Tour from 1983 to 2008….which took place in November or December of each year after the end of the official PGA Tour season. It was recognized by the PGA Tour but did not count towards the official money list.
The Skins Game differed from most PGA Tour golf tournaments in several ways….as only four golfers were invited to the tournament….as each golfer played to win individual holes or “skins” in a match play format. Each hole was assigned a different monetary value….and the golfer who won the hole with the best score outright won the money for that hole. In the event that two or more golfers tie (which is called “halving”) on a hole….the skins would carry over to the next hole. In the event that two or more golfers halve the final hole….a playoff began until one golfer won a hole outright….and furthermore, in a playoff that requires more than one playoff hole…..if a player is not one of those that halve the playoff hole….that player was eliminated….fo it was not “one tie, all tie”.
Fred Couples was given the nickname of “Mr. Skins” because of his dominance in the Skins Game….in which he won $3,515,000 and 77 skins in 11 appearances….winning five of the Skins Games overall. The 2009 Skins Game, originally set for Thanksgiving weekend 2009 was canceled in May 2009 after LG pulled out of sponsorship.
The 1984 Skins Game might have had the greatest lineup of four (4) golfers than in any other year….which included Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Gary Player….for these four definitely won more PGA events and PGA Majors combined than any other foresome to ever play in a Skins Game….but never has there been a Skins Game that was more entertaining and fun to watch that this 1986 version….as Lee Trevino gets a hole in one and wins $175,000 on one hole….which was a very historic event by any means….for this is classic stuff folks….and when you add into this pot that legendary sports broadcaster Vin Scully for NBC is the Host….it simply is priceless.
