Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy accept ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Rory McIlroy, a day after pouring cold water over Tiger Woods’ golf career during the duo’s first-ever joint appearance with Jimmy Fallon, doused his Nike stablemate with a pail of even chillier stuff when the two superstars accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Woods, who obviously has more time on his hands now that he’s on the DL list until at least the end of December, even tweeted his acknowledgement of the ultimatum, which golfers and other A-listers have been undertaking for some time in the name of charity.

While some may believe this particular way of going viral on social media may have jumped the shark, consider that this harmless entertainment raised almost $22.9 million in donations to the ALS Association for research into the deadly neurodegenerative condition commonly known as Lou Gehrig Disease in the last month alone. That’s up from $1.9 million in the same period last year, according to the organization.

“The Ice Bucket Challenge will be seen as a real game-changer for ALS,” association president and chief executive Barbara Newhouse said in a statement.

For those still using rotary phones or AOL, here’s how it works: someone hits social media to dare another to toss a bucket of ice water on her or his head and provide video evidence of the action. If you don’t follow through within 24 hours, you’re supposed to donate $100 to ALS research.

If you go through with it, you donate a smaller amount to the philanthropy at the same time that you call on others, usually a trio of folks, to do the same. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Woods, who’s likely had a few other things on his mind in the past month or so, was called out by Ian Poulter back in June but just got around to it on Tuesday, a few short hours after he heard McIlroy refer to his on-course dominance in the past tense.

No harm, no foul, apparently, as the two Nike shills who represent the past, present, and future of golf, have been hanging out a bunch in the last few days. Prior to their Fallon gig, McIlroy and Woods took to the stage at Liberty National Golf Club in nearby Jersey City to unveil their equipment vendor’s newest Vapor iron line.

Oh, ICYMI, the guy who oversees Tiger, Rory, and all-things PGA Tour, commissioner Tim Finchem, took up the Ice Bucket gauntlet thrown down by tour player Len Mattiace.

With TPC Sawgrass’ iconic 17th hole in the background, Finchem carefully folded his suit jacket, picked up what seemed to be a tour waste basket, and good-naturedly dumped the frosty liquid over his head. Finchem did so in the names of tour player Jeff Julian and caddie Bruce Edwards, both of whom succumbed to ALS.

Finchem also nominated NBC broadcasters Johnny Miller and Dan Hicks as well as the lucky fellow who ends up winning the 2014 FedExCup championship.

Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson got in on the act as well, accepting the ultimatum and defying members of his U.S. team to do the same, though party pooper Bubba Watson will likely come up with some reason known only to him to boycott the test.

Woods, by the way, nominated Nike chair Phil Knight and tennis star Rafael Nadal while Rory dared American fashion model Meghan Markle, George W. Bush (AKA 43), and Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney to chill.