PGA Championship Tees Off as Rumors Circulate of Tiger vs. Phil Match-Up Expanding Into Series

Posted on: August 7, 2018, 10:00h. 

Last updated on: August 7, 2018, 09:00h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
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Tiger vs. Phil is set for Thanksgiving Day weekend, but the spectacle between the two golfing greats that’s being dubbed “The Match” might not be a one-and-done affair.

Tiger Woods Phil Mickelson match odds
Tiger and Phil might have more up their sleeves than originally thought regarding their planned one-on-one. (Image: Golf Channel)

At last week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Woods told reporters that there could be additional matches, with other players as well.

“We’ll see. I don’t know. The plans are for this one and possibly more, but you just never know,” Tiger explained. “When we first did the Showdown at Sherwood, it was basically only a one-time deal, but it ended up going more than that.”

Woods was referring to his 1999 match against David Duval, which pitted the game’s top two players in the world at the time against one another in an 18-hole showdown. Broadcast by ABC, the television event generated strong ratings and led to additional match play events that became known as Monday Night Golf.

Mickelson played in the 2003, 2004, and 2005 Battle at the Bridges, all four events which involved four players played in a best ball of partners format.

The precise date for Tiger vs. Phil isn’t known, but is expected to be either November 23 or 24 in Las Vegas at Shadow Creek Golf Course. Woods is currently the favorite at -140, and Mickelson the underdog at +120.

A $100 bet on Woods nets $71.43, while the same wager on Lefty returns $120.

Tour Opposition

The game’s best players are at Bellerive County Club in St. Louis, Missouri, this week for the 100th PGA Championship. There’s plenty of rumblings around the fourth and final major of the year that PGA Tour executives are none too thrilled to learn about the planned Tiger vs. Phil match and its rumored $10 million winner-take-all purse.

By comparison, the winner come Sunday will receive $1.89 million, and the total PGA Championship purse totals $10.5 million.

Golf World writer Dave Shedloski wrote this week that one could speculate that “The Match” is “a point of contention” for Tour officials.

“As we firm up more and more details, we’ll let everybody know. Right now, we just know that it’s going to be Thanksgiving weekend for sure,” Mickelson explained.

Confirming the specific date, purse, and perhaps most importantly, whether Woods and Mickelson will actually be putting some of their own money on the line, could overshadow the actual PGA Championship should the announcement come this week.

About the PGA…

With Justin Thomas coming off a win at the Bridgestone Invitational, the PGA defending champ’s odds on holding the Wanamaker Trophy for another year greatly shortened. After opening at 16/1, JT’s current line at the Westgate SuperBook stands at 12/1.

Dustin Johnson remains the PGA favorite at 9/1. Along with Thomas, Rory McIlroy is tied for the second shortest odds at 12/1.

Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, and Brooks Koepka are next at 20/1. A win for Spieth would make him just the sixth player in history to win the career grand slam in the Masters era. The others are Jack Nicklaus, Woods, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Gene Sarazen.

Woods is at 25/1 to win his 15th major title and fifth PGA Championship. Mickelson is long at 60/1.