Capital One Helps Raise $20 million for COVID-19 Relief

While the seemingly requisite hoots and hollers from the crowd may have been absent, the lasting impact of Memorial Day weekend’s legendary golf matchup will be felt long after the 18th hole.

Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Charity raised $20 million to assist many of the communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The blockbuster live golf competition was headlined by golf icons Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson returning for a rematch, this time joined by Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, two of the NFL’s greatest players of all time. 

Friendly banter between the caddie-less sports legends on the course and those in the broadcast booth made for plenty of memorable moments, perhaps none more unique — or impactful — than the Capital One Club Challenge during the fifth hole. 

Each player was tasked to use one club throughout the entire hole and the winning team would be given $500,000 to put toward the PGA Golf Emergency Fund and the event’s charitable beneficiaries. Woods pulled his 4-iron while Mickelson opted for his 6-iron.

After Mickelson asked Woods to mark his ball from 80 yards away, the three-time champion of the only major Mickelson hasn’t won cleverly quipped back.

"You want me to mark with a U.S. Open medal?" said Woods.

As Woods walked after a 6-footer only to watch it lip out, the hole ended in a bogey and each player was left with an equal share of charitable contribution for the hole. 

An All-star Impact

Those contributions were made to organizations working across multiple areas of need including Direct Relief, which equips health workers on the front lines with life-changing medical supplies; the American Red Cross, which has adapted its everyday emergency relief efforts to work within this new environment, including providing virtual support and collecting convalescent plasma for COVID-19 treatment; Save Small Business, a grant-making initiative to help small business employers who are struggling due to the pandemic; and the ALL IN Challenge, an initiative that aims to eliminate food insecurity by providing food to those in need.

“At Capital One, we’re committed to supporting our customers, communities and partners through this difficult time, and that is why we are proud to be the returning title sponsor of Capital One's The Match: Champions for Charity. This wonderful event brought four of the world's best athletes together for a tremendous cause," said Marc Mentry, Chief Brand Officer, Capital One. “Capital One knows our customers are passionate about sports, which is why we are excited to support this event and to help bring awareness to these amazing charities."

The second iteration of Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Charity was simulcast on TNT, TBS, truTV and HLN in an effort to maximize viewership and donations for COVID-19 relief.

While Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Charity greatly supported both national and local beneficiaries, Capital One’s impact through sports over Memorial Day weekend didn’t just stop at the fairway.

A Pit Stop for Hope

Through a collaboration with Capital One’s GM BuyPower Card®, NASCAR driver Austin Dillon teamed up with Capital One to support the local community within the Piedmont-Triad and Charlotte areas of North Carolina through a contribution to Pit Stops for Hope, a charitable collaboration within the racing community focused on addressing educational and nutritional needs among youth.

The North Carolina-native fittingly provided assistance to those in areas surrounding his hometown just days before participating in the 61st running of the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, which began Sunday. Dillion returned to the course that saw him earn his first career Cup Series win in 2017 — finishing 14th against a field of 40 drivers this time around.

“Pit Stops for Hope is an organization close to my heart since it started over 10 years ago, but as I prepare for fatherhood, the mission to support children in poverty has become even more meaningful to me,” said Dillon. “So many families across the country are in need right now, and I hope this contribution will offer some much-needed assistance to the city we call home.” 

Capital One is committed to helping the rapidly changing needs of communities impacted by COVID-19. In addition to its partnerships in sports over Memorial Day weekend, It has pledged $50 million to help address the needs of the communities it serves and continues to offer digital capabilities and resources to support financial well-being, online access and skills training. To learn more, visit www.capitalone.com/about.