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The Match: Tiger Woods vs Phil Mickelson Betting Odds and Preview

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the two biggest golfing stars of this generation, will square off in the first-ever head-to-head winner-take-all golf match on Black Friday, November 23rd.

We’ve got everything you need to know about the year’s most anticipated golfing event:

What Time Does It Start?

The tee-off is at 3 PM Eastern Time on November 23, 2018

How Can You Watch It?

Don’t bother to come because the event is closed to the public, with only the sponsors and VIP invited to watch the live action on the course. Instead, you can watch it live at the comfort of your homes but with a hefty price tag.

The event will be broadcasted via pay per view at a suggested price of $19.99. PPV is available via DirecTV, AT&T U-verse, Comcast, Charter, Cox, Verizon and Altice (U.S.), Rogers, Shaw and Bell (Canada), Turner International (outside U.S. and Canada). Live stream is also available via Bleacher Report Live at the same cost. The PPV broadcast begins one hour before the tee-off or at 2 PM Eastern Time.

Where Will It Be Played?

A high profile match like this deserves a high profile venue and true enough, this will be played at the very private Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Opened in 1990, Shadow Creek is located 30 minutes north of the Las Vegas strip. It was designed by architect Tom Fazio and was originally owned by Steve Wynn, who ended up handing it over to the MGM Resorts International. It was renovated in 2008 to stretch its par 72 layout to 7,560 yards. It includes rolling terrain, pine trees, foliage and over abundance of lakes and creeks that will make it hard to think that it’s located in a desert.

The course boasts of high profile club members like Matt Damon, Wayne Gretzky, Derek Jeter and Sylvester Stallone. In the past, it has also hosted the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament.

What are They Playing For?

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will be playing for a winner-take-all purse of $9M. The two are also expected to make side bets for the match. Phil Mickelson teased that there could be at least six or seven side bets made and on Tuesday’s news conference, Lefty started the ball rolling.

Mickelson dared Tiger that he would birdie the 1st hole Tiger, being the 14-time major champion that he is, didn’t back down from the challenge and told Lefty to double it. So there, the first side bet for The Match is a $200K bet for Mickelson to birdie hole number one.

By the way, proceeds of side bets will go to charities chosen by both golfers and not their own pockets.

What Do The Oddsmakers Say?

Betmaker betonline.ag has installed Tiger Woods as the favorite over Phil Mickelson. As of the latest odds dated 11/21/18, Woods is pegged at -190 while Mickelson came back at +165.

Who Wins?

It’s really hard to predict the winner of an exhibition match like this. We’re not sure how much of this is competition, camaraderie or business. Sure, the winner gets the $9m prize and the loser supposedly walks away with nothing. But given the sponsorships, PPV money and all, both would probably get more than just $9M.

Both Woods and Mickelson attended PAC 12 schools. Both won their first Major at Augusta. But Tiger has topped Phil in many categories. They rank 1-2 among active players in Majors won and PGA Tour wins. Woods has 14 majors and 80 wins, both second all-time. Mickelson has 5 majors and 43 wins, ranked 14th and 9th all-time respectively. They also rank 1-2 in the PGA career money list with Woods occupying the top spot with $116M and Mickelson right behind at $88M. Historically, Tiger Woods has the advantage 18-15-4 in his career when playing in the same group as Mickelson.

Betting Prediction

I think it all goes down to form. Tiger Woods’ worked his way from 638 to #13 in the rankings in a year’s time. He’s playing his best golf in years. Mickelson isn’t enjoying a similar renaissance and he hasn’t made noise in the Majors this year. Yet we know Phil Mickelson is capable of upending Tiger Woods in this match. As I said though, I’m going with form and Tiger has been in better playing shape than Lefty this year.

We’re picking Tiger Woods to beat Phil Mickelson in “The Match”.

Place Your Bet Here

If that’s not exciting enough for you, then you may like the prop bets that have emerged for this high profile event.

Prop Bets?

There are plenty of prop bets for The Match at various betting sites, including betonline.ag. But there are three from BetDSI that caught my eye because not only are they interesting but I think they have good value. Check them out:

What’re the Odds?

Color of Phil Mickelson’s Shirt
White                 +150
Black                  +250
Blue                    +400
Any Other Color +400

Last November 20, Phil Mickelson tweeted a photo of himself wearing a black Mizzen and Main polo shirt that he is endorsing. Mickelson said:

“While prepping for #CapitalOnesTheMatch, I noticed that I look relatively fit—which we all know isn’t the case. It must be my new polo from @MizzenAndMain. Imagine what it can do for you! Retweet #PhilMickelsonGolfPolo and Mizzen+Main will give polos to 5 random winners #ad”

Betting Prediction

We know he’s gonna wear Mizzen and Main and we know that the company recently launched their Mickelson line of polo in navy, white, black and purple. We know that dark colors make heavier dudes like Phil look “fit” so it’s gotta be black or blue. Blue has the better betting value at +400 but I think he goes black because we’ve already seen him look good in black and he’s going to try and intimidate Tiger Woods with his choice of polo.

Prediction: Black +250

Place Your Bet Here

What’re the Odds?

Color of Tiger Woods’ Shirt
Red                     +300
White                   +300
Black                   +450
Any Other Color +150

Tiger Woods wears red on Sunday because his mom Kultida Woods told him when he was a kid that red is his power color. Whatever that meant, Tiger has stuck with red in the final round of golf tournaments. Woods also said this to Golf Channel back in 2013:

“I’ve worn red ever since my college days basically, or junior golf days – big events on the last day,” Woods explained. “I just stuck with it out of superstition, and it worked. I just happened to choose a school that actually was red, and we wore red on our final day of events. So it worked out. I came out here and I continued it. I’ve had a few wins wearing red, and it’s not going to change.”

Betting Prediction

I know Tiger’s been to many big events in his career. But this is The Match, the biggest one on one golf tournament ever. I think Tiger listens to his mom and wears his power color

Prediction: Red +300

Place Your Bet Here

What’re the Odds?

Will There Be A Hole In One?
Yes +550
No -1000

Betting Prediction

The last time Tiger Woods had a hole-in-one was at the Sprint International. In case you don’t know that tournament, I don’t blame you because I don’t recall either and just looked it up. That’s how long ago it happened- way back in 1998. As for Mickelson, his came more “recently” and that was in 2005 when he sank a neat 223 yarder at the 64 Lumber Classic. Still, it’s a longshot and I think the longshot of longshots. I mean -1000 is pricey but what are the odds that hole-in-one happens in this one? I like this bet. You should too and thank me later.

Prediction: No -1000

Place Your Bet Here

Chris Blain