The $10 million contest between Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods called “The Match” is such a good idea that the two golfers are apparently planning on joining forces for other big money battles.
Golf Digest first reported that the two have talked about a series of similar events to be held twice a year — one on Thanksgiving weekend, the other around the Fourth of July.
The current exhibition is set for either Nov. 23 or 24 and will be at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas. When news of the match between the two golf superstars leaked, the Tom Fazio-designed course, commissioned by famed casino owner Steve Wynn, was not mentioned by BetOnline as a possible site. Emirates Golf Club in Dubai was the favorite at 11/4, followed by Torrey Pines in San Diego was the favorite at 3/1 and TPC Sawgrass at 9/2.
Given the nature of the contest, it is fitting it is in the sports betting capital of the world. Both Mickelson and Woods have been known to dabble in games of chance. Woods holds a fundraiser for his foundation in Las Vegas every year, the Tiger Jam, which includes a celebrity charity poker tournament.
Mickelson was linked to famed sports gambler Billy Walters, who was involved in an insider stock trading case and sentenced to five years in prison. Mickelson escaped jail time, but had to pay back profits made from Walters information, which totaled just under $1 million.
Mickelson, Woods Confirm Future Matchups
This is not the first time the two middle-aged golf stars have taken part in something outside of a regular tour event. Both played in the famous Skins Games, an unofficial money event on tour from 1993-2008, as well as a series of Monday night golf events that ran from 1999 to 2005.
“It’s a ridiculous amount of money,” Mickelson told Golf.com. “No matter how much money you have, this amount will take both of us out of our comfort zone.”
Woods was optimistic that this November’s event won’t be the last.
“The plans are for this one and possibly more, but you just never know,” Woods said two weeks ago. “When we first did the Showdown at Sherwood, it was basically only a one?time deal, but it ended up going more than that. So, we’ll see what happens with it this year.”
What will set this apart from events the two have played in before is that they might be spending a little of their own money. The details haven’t been worked out, but there may be a possibility of side bets.
Big Swing in Odds after PGA Championship
When the line was initially set by MyBookie, the internet betting site had Woods as the -130 favorite, while Mickelson was at +110. The odds have recently changed to -200 for Woods and +170 for Mickelson.
Part of the adjustment in the lines might have something to do with the two’s performance in last weekend’s PGA Championship. Woods challenged for the lead on Sunday, before eventually finishing second. Mickelson failed to make the cut.
A couple of prop bets have also popped up. The first is will one of them get a hole in one. The odds are 5/1 that they will. The other is what color shirt the two will wear. Mickelson is favored to wear white at +150. Woods is a +200 pick to wear red.