Quarterbacks more than hold their own in “The Match” on Sunday

Between the trash talk, Phil Mickelson hitting bombs, and Tiger being Tiger, you couldn’t help but be entertained watching The Match on Sunday afternoon. And the best part, you didn’t have to be a golf fan to enjoy The Match.

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning stepped into the professional world of the most difficult hobby around and held their own while providing some of the best moments of The Match. And if it wasn’t going to be tough enough playing in normal conditions, the torrential downpour they had to play in most of the day really increased the difficulty.

The fireworks started before the players even hit the first tee, when Peyton Manning fired an incredible shot at Tom Brady in an interview on the range. The trash talking would continue the entire day and was wildly entertaining. If you missed any of it, or want to hear more of it, check out Tim Letcher’s article about it here.

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Once they made their way to the first tee, the two-time Super Bowl champ Manning, and his partner Tiger Woods, got off to a fast start. Peyton quickly made viewers believe he was the better golfer between himself and Tom Brady. As Peyton’s shots were solid, and had some distance, TB12’s were not.

Peyton helped his team jump out to a quick lead, as they were one up after three, two up after four, and three up after six. Peyton single handedly won the fourth for his team after sinking what appeared to be about a 25 foot birdie putt, impressing everyone. It would also be an easy case to make that Tom Brady had not hit a good shot in those first six holes. That all changed at the seventh.

In the moment of the match, Tom Brady holed out from the fairway on the seventh for birdie, sending everyone involved with The Match into a frenzy. With the birdie, Brady answered a Twitter challenge from Brooks Koepka, who challenged Brady to get a par or better on the front nine, and Brooks donated $100,000 for Brady doing so. If you didn’t see the shot, check it out here.

Tiger and Peyton made the turn up three, and starting on the 10th the format changed to alternating shots. Which is where the NFL legends stepped up their games, especially TB12.

Phil Mickelson did what he does best and hit an absolute bomb of a tee shot on the par four 11th, driving it to just off the green. And Tom Brady, doing what he does best, came up clutch and sunk an Eagle putt which won Tom and Phil their first hole of the day.

Tom would continue to hit clutch shots, including winning the long drive on the 15th, and helped get his team within one hole of Tiger and Peyton. The NFL legends collectively had their best hole on the par three 16th. Just as the players were getting to the tee, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson joined the broadcast and announced he would donate 100,000 meals for anyone hitting a tee shot inside of 12 feet from the hole. Being the clutch performers they are, Peyton and Tom stepped up and both put a ball within the 12 feet, and Mickelson added a third.

The 16th would end up being halved, as would the 17th and 18th, with Tiger and Peyton holding off Phil and TB12 in The Match.

Overall, both Brady and Manning showed their very solid golf skills. Through the entire 18 holes, Peyton was lights out with his irons. Although his drives weren’t always straight, or in the fairway, his second shot was almost always great. His best Iron shot of the day was his tee shot on the par three 16th, as he won the closest to the pin challenge on that hole.

Peyton’s best moment of The Match however was his birdie putt on fourth. Making a putt like that, with Tiger standing right behind you, is something I believe Peyton will never forget.

As for Tom, through six holes, I was wondering if TB12 was going to make it the entire day. He didn’t hit many shots in the air, or very far. A couple landed in the water, and Trevor Immelman had to help him figure out the drop rules. And hopefully during that time Tom stayed away from Twitter. Lots of notable athletes, as well as New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton were giving Tom a tough time. But all that changed at the seventh.

After he holed out an incredible shot for birdie at the seventh, he was a whole different player. Down the stretch he was clutch, hitting solid tee shot after tee shot, and really contributed to the comeback effort he and Phil put together. And just as Atlanta Falcons fans remember, Tom is still the comeback king.

The Match left fans all around the world entertained and got many people excited about the return of live sports. I know it got me excited for a potential third match. Phil won the first, Tiger the second, which means we have to have the three peat, right? Lets run it back!