The Match II : What a Fun Event
Sunday’s “The Match” was fun for all involved
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson played each other in the highly publicized ‘The Match’ the Friday after Thanksgiving in 2018. The event was a dud; both golfers played poorly, the trash talking felt forced, and ultimately the two golfing giants playing for $9 million did not resonate with fans. With the coronavirus pandemic rocking the sports worlds, the two icons were joined by legendary quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in ‘The Match: Champions for Charity’ at The Medalist Golf Club. This time, the contest lived up to and even exceeded the hype. In simplest terms, the Match II was fun.
No matter which way you slice it, this exhibition match was a rousing success. Brady played so bad on the front nine you questioned if he had ever picked up a club before; everyone, from Brooks Koepka to Charles Barkley, was roasting the six-time Super Bowl Champ. Casual and hardcore golf fans alike reveled at the display of awful shots, and rejoiced when Brady shut up the haters and holed out from the fairway on the 7th (and he split his pants!)
Speaking of Sir Charles, the broadcast was incredible. I have made my thoughts known on golf broadcasts and this event completely flipped the script by making a fun TV production. Barkley, Brian Anderson and Trevor Immelman were fantastic in the booth. Anderson kept things organized but relaxed, Immelman provided smart, succinct commentary on the golf and the ‘Round Mound of Rebound’ needled and prodded the players and his broadcast partner alike with his classic quippy remarks.
Barkley and Justin Thomas had fantastic banter
JT, the 4th ranked player in the world and Medalist member, made a dazzling debut as an on-course reporter. His personality and charisma were on full display, as he spoke candidly with all four players and mixed snippets of golf insights with humorous jokes (including an all-time dig at Barkley’s weight). Most importantly, Thomas did not try to do too much; he (along with the entire Turner Sports crew) let the players and their actions on the course dictate the show.
Speaking of which, the show was a match play event pitting Brady and ‘Phil the Thrill’ against Peyton and Tiger. The front nine featured a best-ball format allowing each player to play their own ball, while the back nine shifted to modified alternate shot. For the final nine holes, all four players teed off, and then chose a tee shot to play and proceeded with a classic alternate shot format. The highlights (the aforementioned Brady hole out on 7, Phil & Tom’s eagle on 11, the remarkable tee shots into the 16th) were plentiful, and the players kept it casual. They were mic’d up and the broadcast featured their commentary, which included fun trash-talk mixed with insightful discussions on strategy and shotmaking.
Incredibly, we have not even discussed Tiger yet. The Big Cat looked clinical in his first televised play since the dead-last finish at The Genesis, pounding fairways and showing off his trademark ball-striking at his home course. Pairing him with Peyton was a nice contrast for the audience; Woods’ stoic demeanor meshed with Manning’s witty charm. Ultimately, Tiger and Peyton won the event on the 18th hole, and the exhibition raised an incredible $20million for COVID-19 relief.
The ‘Match II’ hit on all notes; fun golf, fun commentary, and a fun event to satiate our appetite for live sports. Not every golf tournament will be a quirky, made for TV event but let’s hope they build off the success of this and emphasize making golf fun.