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The Match: Five most interesting prop bets for Tiger vs. Phil

By Brandon Raper

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 20: (L-R) Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods speak with the media during a press conference before The Match at Shadow Creek Golf Course on November 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images for The Match)
LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 20: (L-R) Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods speak with the media during a press conference before The Match at Shadow Creek Golf Course on November 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images for The Match) /
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The Match Tiger Woods Phil Mickelson prop bets
LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 20: (L-R) Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods speak with the media during a press conference before The Match at Shadow Creek Golf Course on November 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images for The Match) /

Call it showmanship, call it gamesmanship. Heck, call it degenerate gambling. Not that that would be outside the wheelhouse of Tiger Woods, and it’s basically one of the first things people know about Phil Mickelson even if they’re not avid golf fans.

Either way, it didn’t take long for Phil to fire the first shot at Tiger as far as their hyped up “side bets” are concerned. In their press conference earlier this week, Phil was talking up how great his game is, and he guaranteed that he would make birdie on the first hole. Then he challenged Tiger to the first bet of The Match: a cool $100,000 that Phil would put up a red number on No. 1.

"“So I’ve thought a lot about this and there are spots out on the course that are some great spots for a little challenge and the challenges are coming directly out of our pockets, OK?” Mickelson said. “And I feel like the first hole is a great hole for me. And I believe — in fact I’m willing to risk $100,000 that says I birdie the first hole. So that’s how good I feel heading into this match.”"

Tiger didn’t really miss a beat. He talked about all the ways Phil could put himself in trouble right away – water up the left side, rough and trees on the right – and then said “double it”.

Phil told everyone in attendance that he had just baited Tiger into the perfect, no-lose bet. Tiger was at his best, the coolest person in the room, and didn’t sweat at all.

This action, though, isn’t limited to just the two players. OddsShark.com lists this same bet as Yes -140, and No +110. In other words, if you put up $140 that Phil makes birdie and he does, you win $100. A $100 bet that he won’t make birdie (as Tiger believes) will return $210.

The first hole is listed as a 393-yard par-4, but may play a bit longer, at a reported 414 yards. The water down the left is a narrow creek, but a bunker may come into play. I’m personally digging Phil’s confidence, and I think he opens up by taking some money off of Tiger, even if they halve the hole.

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