Quick Read
- The Skins Game returned to Panther National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, after a 17-year hiatus.
- Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele, and Keegan Bradley competed, with the event streamed live on Amazon Prime.
- All players started with $1 million; skins and prize money carried over with tied holes.
- Justin Thomas withdrew due to injury; the course was co-designed by Thomas and Jack Nicklaus.
- The event honored the late Fuzzy Zoeller, a beloved Skins Game participant.
Panther National Reignites a Golf Tradition
On November 28, 2025, Panther National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, became the epicenter of professional golf’s nostalgia and rivalry. The Skins Game, dormant for seventeen years, made its grand return—streamed live on Amazon Prime, with a star-studded cast: Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Xander Schauffele, and Keegan Bradley. For golf fans, this was more than just a game; it was a reunion of Ryder Cup adversaries and a nod to legends past.
Crowds gathered early on the first tee, the anticipation palpable. Photographers captured Tommy Fleetwood and Xander Schauffele preparing their opening shots, while Shane Lowry and Keegan Bradley eyed their lines on the pristine greens. The course itself—co-designed by Justin Thomas and Jack Nicklaus—stood as a testament to modern golf architecture, blending challenge with beauty.
Ryder Cup Tensions Spill Onto the Fairways
The rivalry between Europe and the USA, fresh from the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in September, colored every interaction. Fleetwood and Lowry, key to Europe’s 15-13 triumph over Bradley’s USA (with Schauffele among the ranks), brought both confidence and playful banter to the event. Lowry couldn’t resist a jab: «I’ve just spent the last few months breaking Keegan Bradley’s heart,» referencing his decisive putt at the Ryder Cup.
Yet the Skins Game is about more than scores; it’s about personality. Each player was mic’d up, sharing candid moments and off-the-cuff commentary with fans watching from home. Schauffele, a Panther National member, joked about having to rewrite his trash talk after Justin Thomas’ withdrawal due to injury. The camaraderie and competitive fire were unmistakable, reminiscent of the old Skins Game spirit that made legends like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer household names.
The Format: High Stakes, Higher Winds
The 2025 Skins Game featured 16 holes and a $4 million purse. The rules were simple: lowest score on a hole wins the skin; ties mean skins carry over, raising the stakes on each subsequent hole. Early play was cagey, with all four competitors tied through the first four holes—a rarity last seen in 1995. The wind, gusting up to 30mph, added another layer of difficulty, forcing players to adjust and improvise.
Each player began with $1 million on the board. The tension mounted with every carry-over: $150,000 and two skins on the second hole, $225,000 and three skins on the third, and a whopping $375,000 plus five skins on the par-5 fifth. Birdies were matched, putts answered—Fleetwood’s 12-footer on the fourth hole was immediately countered by Lowry, forcing another tie.
Moments of Tribute and Remembrance
The return of the Skins Game was tinged with emotion following the recent passing of Fuzzy Zoeller, a ten-time PGA Tour winner and two-time major champion. Zoeller, who died at age 74, was a fixture in previous Skins Games and remembered fondly by players and fans alike. The event paused to honor his legacy, a poignant reminder of golf’s enduring community.
Panther National: A Modern Stage for Classic Drama
Panther National itself played an active role in the day’s drama. Co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas, the course’s undulating fairways and challenging greens set the stage for both skill and strategy. Schauffele’s local knowledge provided him a subtle edge, though the tightly contested leaderboard showed no clear favorite.
Fleetwood, fresh off his FedEx Cup victory, was the betting favorite at 5/2. Schauffele followed at 13/5, Lowry at 3/1, and Bradley at 10/3. Yet, as the first four holes ended without a winner, it was clear that this Skins Game was anyone’s to claim.
Fans on site and watching remotely were treated not only to golf’s technical brilliance but also its human side. The mic’d-up format delivered banter, strategy, and even a few Thanksgiving anecdotes—Fleetwood’s caddie had only just scouted the course, adding to the sense of occasion.
What’s Next for the Skins Game?
The revived Skins Game at Panther National signals a renewed appetite for golf exhibitions that blend star power, storytelling, and competitive fire. With Amazon Prime delivering live coverage and interactive moments, the format looks set to attract new audiences and rekindle old passions.
As the players battled for skins and dollars, the event’s true value lay in its celebration of golf’s heritage and its future. The Skins Game, once a fixture of Thanksgiving weekend, has found new life at Panther National—where Ryder Cup rivals, legends remembered, and fans united for a shared love of the game.
Panther National’s hosting of the Skins Game in 2025 stands as a vivid illustration of golf’s ability to bridge tradition and innovation. By reviving a beloved format and honoring both past champions and present stars, the event not only entertained but reminded us that the spirit of competition is as much about legacy as it is about winning. The course, the players, and the fans all contributed to an atmosphere that felt both familiar and excitingly new.