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The Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson $10 million match is set for Thanksgiving weekend

Published

8 years ago

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Just a day after Tiger Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, told ESPN “we are closer than we have been” to finalizing the $10 million winner-take-all money match between his client and Phil Mickelson, it looks like the deal is done.

According to ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, Tiger and Phil will square off at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas either Friday (Nov. 23) or Saturday (Nov. 24) of Thanksgiving weekend.

Woods and Mickelson played a nine-hole practice round Wednesday at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Mickelson floated the idea of the match at The Players in May.

“The excitement that’s been going on around here, it gets me thinking: Why don’t we just bypass all the ancillary stuff of a tournament and just go head-to-head and just have kind of a high-stakes, winner-take-all match…Now, I don’t know if he wants a piece of me, but I just think it would be something that would be really fun for us to do, and I think there would be a lot of interest in it if we just went straight to the final round.”

Perhaps surprisingly/why the heck not, Woods responded with, “I’m definitely not against that. We’ll play for whatever makes him uncomfortable.”

With respect to just how uncomfortable, the pair will be competing for roughly one quarter of their annual pay. According to Forbes, Woods pocketed $43.3 million in on/off course earnings in 2018. Mickelson banked $41.3 million.

With everything falling into place, the only question now is who’s your money on, WRXers?

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Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

39 Comments

39 Comments

  1. RocketBall

    Sep 17, 2018 at 1:30 am

    FANTASTIC idea. I’ll definitely watch it on PPV. My money is on Tiger. I say he smokes Phil 4 and 3.

    Reply Report comment

  2. Bank

    Aug 21, 2018 at 8:26 am

    this match is about 10 years too late. Lord who cares. a lot less than 10 years ago. I’m a decade older than these guys and I dont even want to see them. these guys dont need 10 million so its borderline aggravating. Theres nothing in this of interest. Make it a carry over skins game at least. An 8 million dollar hole i could watch- for a minute or two. As long as I had about 3 other screens going with actual entertainment. Match play is excruciatingly slow.

    Reply Report comment

    • Speedy

      Aug 21, 2018 at 1:45 pm

      Right on, Bank. I’ll have no problem finding something else to do.

      Reply Report comment

  3. Tom

    Aug 10, 2018 at 4:21 pm

    It would be great if they had a TV channel that just showed and talked about Tiger 24/7….oh, they already do, but they call it the Golf Channel.

    Reply Report comment

  4. Sean

    Aug 8, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    This is the solution to the Tiger vs. Phil match:
    http://www.therivalroast.com

    Reply Report comment

  5. Alan

    Aug 4, 2018 at 4:04 pm

    Bunch of bitter people making the negative comments today. Don’t like it don’t watch.
    I’m sure you would rather hang out with drunk Uncle Ed Thanksgiving weekend.

    Reply Report comment

  6. Dixie doc

    Aug 3, 2018 at 10:57 pm

    I hope there’s a football game on that day. At least those teams will be playing for something.

    Reply Report comment

  7. Liberty Apples

    Aug 3, 2018 at 9:36 pm

    Does anyone really give a (fill in the blank)?

    Reply Report comment

  8. Dave

    Aug 3, 2018 at 9:23 pm

    ” Really ” you go girls.

    Reply Report comment

  9. Steve M

    Aug 3, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    Not only are they not putting up any of their own money I bet they both ask for an appearance fee, so it won’t even be winner takes all

    Reply Report comment

  10. Tom

    Aug 3, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    Both from California how about donating that 10 million to California Public Golf courses so we will still have a few in 2019….

    Reply Report comment

  11. Jim McPherson

    Aug 3, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    I bet DJ would put up $10M of his own money to join in and make it a $20M winner take all.

    But as the winners prize isn’t coming from either of them, it is meaningless and will suck. There will be no fight in it. My guess is it will be staged so it comes down to the wire, probably back and forth throughout the round and decided on the final hole. Bet on that!

    Reply Report comment

  12. Dtrain

    Aug 3, 2018 at 2:03 pm

    So even if Tiger loses it will be far from the worst Thanksgiving he’s had.

    Reply Report comment

  13. Regis

    Aug 3, 2018 at 1:21 pm

    As I sit here now I can say “No way I’ll watch it”. But I probably will. For how long? This will be hyperhyped like Riggs/King. My problem (if I do watch) is Who to root for (or more properly against). I can’t stand either of them. Like to see a prop bet. Over/under on photos of Tiger with his kids or Phil with lemonade stands

    Reply Report comment

  14. Curt

    Aug 3, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    It means absolute nothing if its NOT their own money to lose. I could care less about two guys playing for OPM.

    Reply Report comment

    • Bob

      Aug 3, 2018 at 1:36 pm

      Totally agree

      Reply Report comment

    • Roy

      Aug 3, 2018 at 3:14 pm

      But a bunch of people playing for OPM is interesting?? Or is the only event you watch all year the US Am??

      Reply Report comment

  15. Keith

    Aug 3, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    I live about 400 yards north of Shadow Creek in LV so I am intrigued. I wonder if it will be open to the public.

    Reply Report comment

  16. Steve Cantwell

    Aug 3, 2018 at 11:35 am

    I’d bet ( but not with my own money, of course) that this event will prove to be an uninspiring flop. Not to mention, horrible television as there will be too many commercials in between shots.

    Reply Report comment

  17. G what

    Aug 3, 2018 at 12:29 am

    Make it $10MM if their own money

    Reply Report comment

  18. MT

    Aug 2, 2018 at 11:06 pm

    All the sticks in the mud complaining about this. Let them play and I for one will be watching. Hope the 10 million goes to a great charity like St Jude’s.

    Reply Report comment

  19. Waaa

    Aug 2, 2018 at 6:04 pm

    Most of the proceeds are going to charity.

    Reply Report comment

  20. ComeonPhil

    Aug 2, 2018 at 3:17 pm

    Usually when Phil fires off his mouth he misses the cut. It amazes me that Tiger with all his injuries and surgeries and limited playing time will still shoot lower scores than Phil. What amazes me about Phil is how inconsistent he is…..It is also surprising how many times Phil has choked despite having so many victories. I think that if you add just his second place finishes to his number of major victories he would have 15 majors. It is not only amazing that Phil is first in putting on tour this year, but also that he has only one win with that great putting and that when I watch him putt his putting still looks like it sucks.

    Reply Report comment

  21. Jason A

    Aug 2, 2018 at 2:03 pm

    bunch of salty old people in this comment area. i think this is great and is going to create a lot of buzz for golf.

    Reply Report comment

  22. Jamie

    Aug 2, 2018 at 2:00 pm

    It’s all freshly printed toilet paper backed by nothing but the cannon-fodder military.

    Reply Report comment

  23. Tyler Durden

    Aug 2, 2018 at 12:57 pm

    Great, an addict and a cheat playing for other people money. Must see tv.

    Reply Report comment

  24. Tartan Golf Travel

    Aug 2, 2018 at 12:57 pm

    They should have added 2 more players and brought back the old skins game. This sounds boring, May be would have been interesting when they were the best in the world but 2 guys head to head will make for boring golf.

    Reply Report comment

  25. toyzrx

    Aug 2, 2018 at 12:53 pm

    Lame. There are kids in many cities who don’t have food to eat and books to read.

    Reply Report comment

    • Erik

      Aug 2, 2018 at 1:44 pm

      So feed them and house them

      Reply Report comment

    • DANA POINT

      Aug 3, 2018 at 2:28 am

      Good point. We should shut down the entertainment and sports industries entirely until we rectify that situation. No movies, no music, no superbowls and playoffs…just stop it all until no one is hungry, because they’re obviously linked.

      Reply Report comment

  26. Moses

    Aug 2, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Silly Season is back. Can we revive the Skins Game too.

    Reply Report comment

  27. dat

    Aug 2, 2018 at 11:28 am

    Who is bankrolling this?

    Reply Report comment

    • Erik

      Aug 2, 2018 at 1:45 pm

      Well with Phil’s love of gambling , I would imagine they are

      Reply Report comment

      • ~j~

        Aug 2, 2018 at 6:50 pm

        Yeah right. Neither is putting up a dime that i know of. Lame. Anyone can wager with other people’s money. Let’s see Phil grip it and rip it with HIS $10mil on the line.

        Reply Report comment

  28. Kevin

    Aug 2, 2018 at 11:23 am

    unless they put their own money on the line, this is just a friendly game with the chance to win a lot of money. its like putting a bunch of money on black at the roulette table without having to actually bet any of your own money

    Reply Report comment

    • PT

      Aug 2, 2018 at 12:26 pm

      No, it isn’t. Clearly.

      Reply Report comment

    • Michael

      Aug 2, 2018 at 12:29 pm

      Agree. When I first heard this idea, I thought that’s what it would be, a high stakes gambling round on TV, and I was very excited. There’s zero drama unless they put up their own money. Bogus. I’m not interested.

      Reply Report comment

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Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

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3 days ago

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Jun 1, 2026

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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

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

  • Driver: Ping 440 LST
  • Metal: Ping G440 Max at 15 degrees
  • Metal: Ping G425 Max at 21 degrees
  • Hybrid: Ping G430 at 25 degrees
  • Irons: Ping Blueprint S 5 through PW
  • Wedges: Ping S159 at 52, 56, and 60 degrees
  • Putter: Ping PLD Anser

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