News

Rory McIlroy won’t watch Tiger-Phil match, claims the event has “missed the mark”

Published

8 years ago

Nov 13, 2018

Last month, Justin Thomas stated that there was zero chance of him watching Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson battle it out in Las Vegas for $9 million. Now, Rory McIlroy is the latest Tour player to say he won’t be tuning in.

McIlroy, while speaking on Tuesday at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, told reporters that Phil Mickelson had even offered to cover the pay-per-view fee for the Irishman when they discussed the match during a FedEx Cup playoff event earlier in the year. But McIlroy made it clear today that he wasn’t in the least bit interested in the event, stating

“Look, if they had a done it 15 years ago, it would have been great. But nowadays, it’s missed the mark a little bit.”

McIlroy’s comments should not be surprising. The 29-year-old is no stranger to speaking his mind, and we can only speculate on what exactly he meant with his statement that the showdown has “missed the mark a little bit.” If McIlroy is suggesting that this event has missed the mark due to the match airing on PPV, then he is likely to find many supporters of the game in agreement with him — the $19.99 price tag for the exhibition has not gone over well. Or, if the fact that neither player is putting up a dime of their own money for the contest is what has failed to pique McIlroy’s interest, then he is again likely to find many who agree with his view.

However, whether the showdown between Woods and Mickelson would have been a greater spectacle fifteen years ago compared to present day is debatable. Woods is currently a prohibitive favorite to win the contest on Thanksgiving Friday with odds of -225. But in 2003, an untouchable Woods against a major-less Mickelson could very well have been a mismatch.

The Match between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson takes place on November 23 at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.

What do you make of Mcilroy’s comments, GolfWRXers?

Related Topics:

Up Next

GolfWRX Morning 9: The Tiger Woods of rock climbing | Jason Dufner’s math lesson | Brutal incorrect scorecard DQ

Don't Miss

GolfWRX Morning 9: No European Tour for Rory? | Interesting caddie moves | Save, don’t Pave

Gianni Magliocco

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected]

27 Comments

Bill

Nov 15, 2018 at 11:00 am

Rory doesn’t get it. Who would pay to watch Rory – Spieth. Or Rose – Koepka. It’s just good golf. A game I don’t have.

Reply Report comment
Gerry Elbridge

Nov 15, 2018 at 12:42 am

“It’s missed the mark”…so has Rory’s wedge game as of late.

Reply Report comment
Alphonzo Davidson Jr

Nov 14, 2018 at 10:20 pm

So what they are pass their prime! How many prize fighters have fought pass their prime. Do you watch the senior tour? YES you guys love watching Couples, Daly and others. Enjoy the spectacle for what it is an exhibition. The money, the sponsors are paying that. $20 bucks that’s less than you would pay for a ball cap. If you play golf you have some interest. So enjoy it.
There’s two common things in golfers that runs deep sandbagging handicaps and CHEAPNESS give it a rest.

Reply Report comment
James

Nov 14, 2018 at 5:16 pm

Rory hasn’t won much lately. I’m thinking he just can’t afford the PPV.

Reply Report comment
Tom

Nov 14, 2018 at 4:00 pm

After those pics from Tiger’s roadside arrest, I would pay to watch him drive in a demolition derby….”Tiger, Tiger, where is grampa’s automobile?”

Reply Report comment
Jim K

Nov 14, 2018 at 3:08 pm

Might have been interesting if they had a 2-man best ball match with Tiger & Phil v. two of the younger stars (Spieth & Thomas?). Players can take a lot more chances in best ball and there’s a lot more strategy involved.

Reply Report comment
Robert Edgar

Nov 14, 2018 at 2:26 pm

Boring. You could not pay me enough to watch this. A money grab from the suckers that watch.

Reply Report comment
Buster Douglas

Nov 14, 2018 at 12:55 pm

Rory is jealous. Its that simple. He only wishes he was in on it. P.S. Gianni change that photo, you look like a fruit.

Reply Report comment
Curt

Nov 14, 2018 at 12:08 pm

All I know is it’s worth watching without McIlroy and Dechambooo in it. As far as I’m concerned there’s no such thing as a good golfer anymore. There skill is all about modern equipment.

Reply Report comment
- Dingo
  
  Nov 14, 2018 at 12:21 pm
  
  Tell me again Curt, how many extra chromosomes do you have?
  
  Reply Report comment
Chuck

Nov 14, 2018 at 11:45 am

Rory said 10 years ago, not 15… Anyhow, it’s a boring match from two hasbeens. Weak sisters trying to relive their glory days. Wasted money and those watching are fools wasting their money.

Reply Report comment
- kevin
  
  Nov 14, 2018 at 12:21 pm
  
  LOL its twenty bucks….ironically on the same day as most people wait in long lines to buy crap they don’t need.
  
  to each their own, but 20 bucks for 4 hours of entertainment isnt a problem. this should be more entertaining than a typical match. there will be banter, side bets, drone footage, …
  but hey, enjoy those black friday lines
  
  Reply Report comment
Jack Nash

Nov 14, 2018 at 11:37 am

Rory is 100% correct. Two old guys reminiscing about the old days when this event might have been watchable, but certainly not now. This event could be similar to Gerardo’s Al Capones Vault.

Reply Report comment
Greg V

Nov 14, 2018 at 9:18 am

Rory just got dropped from Phil’s Christmas card list, which is fine by me.

The match is a stupid idea, and tone deaf with the destruction going on in California.

Reply Report comment
- Mike
  
  Nov 14, 2018 at 10:32 am
  
  What? Does that mean the NFL should cancel all their games until a California wild fire is put out? I don’t think you should go to work until every immigrant child is reunited with their parents. There’s always a tragedy happening somewhere.
  
  Reply Report comment
- HearingImpaired
  
  Nov 16, 2018 at 3:20 pm
  
  Tone deaf with the destruction in California? I do hope you’re kidding, otherwise that’s quite possibly the most nonsensically self-righteous nonsense I’ve ever read. Good grief.
  
  Reply Report comment
steveie

Nov 14, 2018 at 9:17 am

yes, would have been great anytime before 2008, and if they put up their own $$$. could not pay me to watch, LOL.

Reply Report comment
- James Awad
  
  Nov 14, 2018 at 1:37 pm
  
  Funny …. I think the only way I might watch this greedfest is IF it was free & they WERE playing for their own money 🙂 – like 20% of their bank account death match…
  
  Reply Report comment
JThunder

Nov 14, 2018 at 1:01 am

The golf world can think of nothing better to do with $9 million than have two guys at the end of their career play with no gallery and likely no TV audience… It’s a bit sick.

How about they both pony up $4.5 mil (nothing to either of them) and the money goes to the winner’s cause. SoCal wildfires? Education? Homeless? Vets without healthcare? Environment?

Reply Report comment
Johnny Penso

Nov 14, 2018 at 12:31 am

I’m all for people being free to speak their mind but IMO this is one of those things where if you have nothing nice to say, then shut the hell up. I don’t see what purpose it serves for a leading player in the game to throw shade at a one off event that he isn’t even participating in. Is your sport better off for you having trashed the event? Shut up, say it’s fine and you’ll probably watch it and hope it takes off and turns into a full on match play type event and you get invited at some point. Or don’t. It’ll live or die by it’s own merit and throwing shade on it before it’s even happened just makes you look bitter and envious and attention seeking.

Reply Report comment
Chilly P

Nov 13, 2018 at 8:58 pm

cool how you made the case that it was a stupid idea 15 years ago too. this is a yawner. No one cares. made more odious by the purse. makes them look bad. hopefully they will salvage a little face and donate the cash. feel like this will actually be awkward to watch.

Reply Report comment
Gunter Eisenberg

Nov 13, 2018 at 6:56 pm

Rory’s right. For me, if it was 17 years ago it would’ve been really relevant. Back then Tiger and Phil weren’t be best of friends back then and really wanted to beat each other up. I personally thought both were at the peak of their careers back then too. Remember, they were the final pair at the 2001 Masters. Go watch videos of it on Youtube. You could feel the tension between them and I don’t think they spoke a word to each other during that round.

Reply Report comment
Brian

Nov 13, 2018 at 5:50 pm

The winner gets 9 million for one round of golf. The Fed Ex cup winner, which the PGA tries to promote all year, has a playoff system, and is supposed to be the ultimate goal outside of majors, gets 10 million. That’s why the tour players hate it. It makes a mockery of their sport and it so called best player for that year.

Reply Report comment
- DB
  
  Nov 14, 2018 at 1:34 pm
  
  You’re exactly right. I don’t plan on paying the PPV fee, but I’m sure many will given that Tiger and Phil are still extremely popular. The tour players giving the match a negative review are just upset that they aren’t in on the 9 million. You can guarantee if they were invited to the match they would suddenly think it’s a great idea.
  
  Reply Report comment
8thehardway

Nov 13, 2018 at 5:26 pm

Here’s what would draw me in… They each get $1/2M to show up and $4M to bet, say $1/2M minimum, $1M max, one press allowed on the back 9, all bets must be called.

Bonus adrenaline rush – give caddies $1/2M each to bet with each other with $1K minimum.

Reply Report comment
larrybud

Nov 13, 2018 at 4:48 pm

It’s even more than that. I don’t mind the timing, even though they’re obviously both past their prime. But the fact that it’s PPV, and that there are no crowds. I mean, the crowds is what would make it fun. Who are these guys going to talk to? Who’s going to laugh at the lame jokes?

Reply Report comment
- kevin
  
  Nov 14, 2018 at 12:28 pm
  
  i’m guessing a small crowd of 100 or so of who’s who among celebs and media.
  
  Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open

Published

4 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX Tour Photographer made the trip from the Memorial Tournament across the country to the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera. Check out links to all the photos below!

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

3 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase