It may not have been as glamorous as some might have hoped, but at least golf fans got to see Tiger Woods on the golf course under the lights on Saturday night.
Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas defeated Woods and world No. 1 Rory McIlroy 3-2 in the 10th hole of the 7th edition of The Match at the Pelican Golf Club outside Tampa, Florida.
Woods, who made his first appearance since failing to qualify for the 150th British Open Championship at St Andrews in July, had some good moments but the competition belonged to Spieth and JT. The winning duo combined and made his seven birdies to beat his opponent. Woods and McIlroy combined into one person.
Still, it was a fun night and a fun event that raised millions of dollars for relief efforts in Florida after the devastation of Hurricane Ian.
When asked what was his most memorable moment for TNT, Woods said: “Being able to do something under the light that has never been done before in our sport and be able to do it. It’s the fact that we’ve been able to grow in a different way.” Also the people who were devastated by Hurricane Ian. We can generate more money and people can come back here and grow.” We were able to create more opportunities for the and this is important we are Floridians we know what kind of things they are from the east side these people have homes and lives It’s been left untouched, but I’m glad we can all work together and do something.”
Woods, 46, has played in The Match twice before, but it was the first for McIlroy, Spieth and Thomas. Here’s how to play The Match.
it’s over
And that’s it. JT and Spieth defeated Rory and Tiger. After Spieth’s winning putt, Thomas told McIlroy and Woods that “second place isn’t bad.”
Hey Tiger and Laurie…
What happened? ! ? ! pic.twitter.com/twrgI3C6pP
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2022
Introducing the University of Alabama
It always goes back to the Iron Bowl. Former Auburn basketball star Charles Barkley gave JT grief about the “University of Alabama.”
The JT-Chuck rivalry was a highlight 😂#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/AT2IcwcBh9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2022
liven up trash talk
Rory and Tiger fill in the holes and sprinkle a little trash talk😅#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/Rth3EfHQuS
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2022
Looking into the future?
The year is 2055. The game takes place at a new country club on Mars. Charles Barkley says something interesting. I follow up with stupid tweets out of jealousy.Tiger holes in his 8-footer in the final to beat Spieth’s son in his 1-up
— Max Homa (@maxhoma23) December 11, 2022
JT and Spieth lead
These guys are good. Using only 5 woods in the 1 club challenge on the 455 yard, par 4 4th hole, JT manages to make par. JT and Spieth are 3 up on 4 holes. Tiger and Laurie have a lot of work to do.
A 455-yard par 4. Only 5 woods are used.
JT will be par. pic.twitter.com/1LM1Ud3o7Z
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2022
charlie came
Woods says his 13-year-old son, Charlie, has not beaten him yet, but recently passed him.
“I hate to say it, but let’s admit it. He finally did it a few weeks ago,” Woods said. And Tiger said “the day will come” when Charlie beats him. They will play together next week at the PNC Championship in Orlando.
“I admit it. He finally did it.”
13-year-old Charlie Woods has already surpassed his father 😮pic.twitter.com/ZwCNZgIprH
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2022
Early check-in at Tiger
Charles Barkley asked Woods a serious journalistic question: “How’s your leg?” Tiger’s response: “Still on. Good.”
hydration
It’s real golf now. John Daly is not there.
Justin Thomas has already opened the Coors Light with the cart open. pic.twitter.com/ECAoqlwvXC
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) December 10, 2022
under the light
We’re minutes away from the start of the 7th edition of The Match, and as Woods noted, it’s the first time it’s done completely under the lights.
A special Saturday Red for Tiger. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/ogQYtzQgTR
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 10, 2022
good for left handed
Raise your hand if you were expecting an olive branch from Mickelson today.
I am proud to have been a part of the production of The Match. I think today will be a fun, interesting and insightful version. Best of luck to Tiger, Rory, JT and Jordan. I see it on TNT. I hope you do too.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) December 10, 2022
scene settings
Jordan. Justin. Lolly. tiger.
Range awaits 🏌️♂️ pic.twitter.com/UXawRJxrhX
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 10, 2022
The cart is lit and ready 💡#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/ONiAFqtxpF
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 10, 2022
match preview
Woods, a 15-time major champion, plans to compete despite struggling to recover from plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Forced to withdraw from the World Challenge, which benefits his foundation, where he told reporters the painful condition was related to injuries sustained in a car accident outside Los Angeles in February 2021. He said he was advised by his doctor that he was doing it.
Woods says being able to use a golf cart is very helpful, saying, “It’s very difficult to get from point A to point B.” He made just nine rounds in three majors last year. His last start was an absence at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in July.
Golf fans will be delighted to see Woods swing the club again. He also plans to play alongside his son Charlie at his PNC Championship next week in Orlando, Florida. Woods will be able to use Kurt again in his 36-hole event.
Former NBA great Charles Barkley will again provide commentary during the game, which is expected to have plenty of humor. Yes, and it’s hard to imagine two-time Open champion Greg Norman without a few jabs. Last week, McIlroy told The Independent of London, “Now it’s my job to make it painful.” [Norman’s] ass as possible. “
Golfers are friendly competitors, but McIlroy says nobody wants to lose.
“I was opposite them in the Ryder Cup before I tried to get them back,” McIlroy said. is incomparable
The 12-hole game will start at 6:00 PM ET and will be played under the lights. This is a best-hi-ball format where each player plays his own ball on the hole and the lowest score of the two players counts as the team’s score.
“One thing I can say is that I have the best players in the world on my team, so I’m fine,” Woods said. “He’ll have the best cheerleader ever.”
McIlroy expects more from his teammates.
According to the Caesars Sportsbook oddsmakers, Thomas and Spieth have a slight advantage (-130) over McIlroy and Woods (+110).
“[Tiger is] Probably the greatest iron player of all time,” McIlroy said. If he can get it out on the fairway and get some looks off the fairway, I think we have a very good chance.”
Lots of friendly trash talk starting on the first tee shot.
“It’s kind of hard to trash talk them,” Thomas said. “I feel like I’m on the first tee in Jordan and I just need to open it up. Okay you guys have more majors than us, you guys have more majors than us. You have the FedEx Cup, you both have planes but we don’t’, let’s put it out in public so it won’t be used against us in our matches . “
“They are quick and resourceful,” Spieth said. “I told Justin he might have to take the nice guy route, which is not normal for this kind of match.”
“It’s not going to work either way,” added Woods.
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