Tiger vs. Phil match to include side challenges, winner will earn $9M
Get your popcorn ready.
After months of speculation, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will officially go head to head in an 18-hole, winner-take-all matchup over Thanksgiving weekend at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.
If a heavyweight bout between two of golf's most iconic players isn't enticing enough, the matchup will feature multiple side challenges throughout the 18 holes, as noted in a release by WarnerMedia's Turner division, which holds the viewing rights.
As part of the live event, both Woods and Mickelson will selectively make side-challenges against one another during the match. For instance, Woods or Mickelson could raise the stakes by challenging the other to a long-drive, closest-to-the-pin or similar competition during a hole as they play their match, with money being donated to the winning golfer’s charity of choice.
The winner of what is being dubbed as "The Match" will take home a grand prize of $9 million. The pool was originally rumored to be $10 million, but the PGA Tour didn't want it to match the prize of the FedEx Cup winner, according to Action Network's Jason Sobel.
Woods, coming off strong finishes at each of the last two majors, is unsurprisingly the betting favorite at -180, according to Las Vegas Sportsbook.
"The iconic Tiger Woods and five-time Major Champion Phil Mickelson are generational talents who have transcended the game of golf and their rivalry continues to be one of the most compelling in sports," said David Levy, president of Turner.
The release states that live pay-per-view coverage of the event will be distributed through Bleacher Report Live, DIRECTV, and AT&T U-verse. HBO Sports' "24/7" will capture all the excitement leading up to the match, while Bleacher Report's House of Highlights Instagram page will provide highlights and behind-the-scenes content.
Turner International will facilitate distribution of live PPV access to the event for those living outside of the United States.
PPV pricing will be announced at a later date.