News
Phil Mickelson beats Tiger Woods in ‘The Match,’ takes home $9 million jackpot
The golfing world was unsure of what to expect when Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods went head-to-head in Las Vegas this afternoon for $9 million, and with a small crowd following the two men and somewhat awkward banter between the two, the event had an eerie feel to it early on.
As for the golf, on the opening hole, Mickelson had nine feet for birdie to take the lead in the match and cost Woods $200k after the two had made a pre-match side bet that Mickelson would birdie the hole. But his putt didn’t drop, to the delight of Woods who while wearing a beaming smile declared “That hurts the pocket.”
*Phil misses $200K birdie put*
Tiger: "That hurts the pocket" ????
Buy #CapitalOnesTheMatch here: https://t.co/Opog8HC1Oh pic.twitter.com/wi5X1J9LZ5
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 23, 2018
However, his smile was short-lived, as the 14-time major champion failed to convert a short par putt on the second hole to allow Mickelson to draw first blood and go 1 up.
The 137-yard fifth hole delivered the next piece of action. A $100k closest-to-the-hole challenge initiated by Mickelson was agreed upon and won comfortably by Lefty, who stuffed his tee-shot in tight. However, Mickelson was unable to drain the putt and the hole was halved.
Tiger's reaction says everything you need to know about who won this $100K closest-to-the-pin challenge ???? #CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/uX3GyolAwY
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 23, 2018
Woods birdied the par-5 seventh to level the match. Then, the two agreed on a $200k closest-to-the-hole contest at the par-3 eighth. Mickelson won the challenge and the hole after a Woods three-putt.
It was all halves until the two men reached the par-4 11th hole. Both players’ tee shots landed over the green. After Woods secured his birdie with a tidy chip, Mickelson was unable to counter, failing to get up and down, and the match was all tied up.
A sublime wedge shot on 12 set up the easiest of birdies for Woods and gave him a 1 up advantage with six holes to play. However, Mickelson’s mood picked up after winning a closest-to-the-hole challenge on the par-3 13th, costing Woods $300k. Mickelson also took the hole to square things up.
Phil comes right back after Tiger took the lead ????#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/TYT7CJVjMm
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 23, 2018
Woods then failed to get up and down on the par-4 15th, and his bogey resulted in him falling one behind Mickelson with just three holes remaining. But on 17, with his back firmly against the wall, Woods pulled a rabbit out of the hat, holing out from off the green to tie the match going down the 18th hole.
TIGER. CLUTCH.
We're tied heading into the 18th hole ????#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/HXPHoVOKCR— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 23, 2018
The two men parred the 18th and went back to the tee for a sudden-death playoff. After both found trouble on the first playoff hole, Woods had a nine-foot putt to win the match but missed on the low side.
A 93-yard “20th hole” was set up to decide affairs. Woods and Mickelson hit from a makeshift tee on the practice green, lofting their wedge approach shots to the 18th green. On the third occasion, after both recorded par twice, Woods had seven feet for birdie. He limply hit his putt, however, leaving Mickelson with just outside four feet for birdie, which he duly dispatched, bringing home with it the $9 million jackpot.
Phil Mickelson wins #CapitalOnesTheMatch four playoff holes later ???? pic.twitter.com/pMilz3iUOR
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 24, 2018
A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.
As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.
Let’s get to the gifts.
Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo
We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.
STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover
If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.
Why Golf: Putting Thing
When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.
OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes
Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!
Therabody Theragun Relief
A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.
World Cup golf apparel
Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.
FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes
Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.
Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker
Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.
Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls
The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!
- GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.
It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.
Check out links to all our albums below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Ryan Palmer – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Mahanth Chirravuri – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Josh Creel – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Phichaksn Maichon – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Brandon Berry – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Ryan Burnett – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- James Song – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Andrew McLauchlan – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Ian Gilligan – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Alvaro Ortiz – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Russell Knox – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Ian Holt – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Mitchell Meissner – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Travis Trace – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
- Bryce Lewis – WITB – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
Pullout Albums
Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.
From the listing:
Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.
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Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
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Roy
Nov 24, 2018 at 6:17 pm
On a side note, Vegas bookies were said to be up 8:95M over the weekend……
Tom
Nov 24, 2018 at 4:34 pm
Fed Ex Cup full season bonus is $10 million….these two has beens play 18 holes for $9 million…..disgraceful!
Bull Connor
Nov 24, 2018 at 1:58 pm
!!ekoj gnikcuF Jerry Cooney of golf’s great White Hope vs a Jack Johnson.
Majduffer
Nov 24, 2018 at 12:33 pm
I might have paid to see it if it would have a skins game and they added 2 other players like rickie and justin. The old guard versus the new guard. Then all the short putts missed would have really been important. Secondly, not allowing spectators was a total disservice to their fans. I also found it ironic that the player’s sponsors didn’t step up and make it free to all the fans who buy their products. What a bunch of cheap skates and I will not be buying any of their products in the future.
Steven Simeon
Nov 24, 2018 at 10:52 am
I watched the match, it was worth $ 20, I guess. I paid somewhat close attention, but I dont remember twin 69’s and Tiger making 6 birdies ?? I was sober too
Under the roof
Nov 24, 2018 at 8:22 am
Far better entertainment than I thought it was going to be. Both we’re nervy and uncomfortable, which showed me they are human; welcome to match play.
MD
Nov 24, 2018 at 2:52 am
They couldn’t have picked a worse course if they wanted it to be more flash bang entertaining.
But it ended up more like the old Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf, where the matches were low-key, like this.
Everybody expects fireworks and scores of 63s all the time now, but in these serious situations one on one on a tricky course that doesn’t give up too many easy putts, this is what happens.
Even Hogan-Snead when they were in their 50’s for the Shell program ended up only a couple shots off Par and not very exciting in a fireworks way, but nonetheless mighty educational for the viewers, still.
Simms
Nov 24, 2018 at 4:41 pm
100% agree with you, maybe the Golf Channel could grab a few sponsors and do a series like “Shell’s) be 100% better then the waste of time instruction shows they have where even the same instructors go over the same shots with different ideas each and every week.
Mad-Mex
Nov 23, 2018 at 11:01 pm
All I want to know is how many paid to see this,,,,,,,,,,,
JP
Nov 23, 2018 at 10:51 pm
So they are both at the point of their careers that they are average. Yippee. Next time invite Cam Champ or Justin Thomas or……….
kick in double
Nov 23, 2018 at 10:47 pm
Kinda wish there werent announcers for this and it was just them and their caddies doing all the talking. The little bit i saw sounded like the announcers were explaining golf to a 5 year old.
Golfguy3
Nov 23, 2018 at 9:03 pm
I wish all golf tournaments were broadcast like this one. No commercials and the guys played at a good pace. I liked the side bets but you coykd tell both players were nervous. Also, its a nice course but not a $500.00 round.
Don
Nov 24, 2018 at 11:09 am
First, I mostly was glad I decided to watch it. But your comment about being no commercials? There were the several Capital One ones with Jackson and Barkley ad the repeated references to traj graphics broght to the event by Capital One and the constant references and logo re MGM betting.
No apparent control of the mics in a control booth was a problem for me anyway as the sound from all miked players going all at the same time (including I thin Tiger’s loud sniffling especially on the front 9) made it hard to hear individual comments well. Besides the peanut gallery of Barclay and all that were speaking over them.
I don’t get why the transmission (at least for me on Shaw in Canada) stopped after the shaking hands after the final putt and did stay on for any presentation or comments at same. Even with the extra holes, there was still time left for tye slotted 6 hours on PPV.
Wes B
Nov 23, 2018 at 8:53 pm
I thought it was very entertaining. Neither guys seemed to play that well at all but its still Tiger and Phil. Loved it!