Tiger Woods & Phil Mickelson - negotiating a $10 million winner take all match

[edjr 5,546]

http://www.golf.com/knockdown/2018/07/05/tiger-woods-phil-mickelson-10-million-match-play-event

 

 

 

The greatest match that never was almost took place on July 3 in Las Vegas, a prime-time TV special that was to have pitted Tiger Woods against Phil Mickelson in a $10 million winner-take-all, 18-hole death match. The negotiations, involving a major television network and various corporate entities, couldn't quite be consummated in time but Woods and Mickelson and their people remain committed to making it happen as soon as it's feasible. "We're working on a different date," Mickelson said on Thursday. "I thought it was done for the 3rd but obviously it wasn't." Woods's representatives declined to comment.

The seeds were planted back in April, at the Masters, when Tiger and Phil played a much-ballyhooed practice round together. Mickelson has a history of using press conferences to further his business interests, such as at the 2010 Players when he repeatedly raved about Five Guys hamburgers only to have it revealed the following week that he had purchased Southern California franchise rights to the burger chain.

At this year's Players, a month after the Masters, Wood and Mickelson were paired together and Phil said, "The excitement that's been going on around here, it gets me thinking: Why don't we just bypass all the ancillary stuff of a tournament and just go head-to-head and just have kind of a high-stakes, winner-take-all match. Now, I don't know if he wants a piece of me, but I just think it would be something that would be really fun for us to do, and I think there would be a lot of interest in it if we just went straight to the final round."

By then negotiations were well under way for the match so Woods was happy to play along, saying, "I'm definitely not against that. We'll play for whatever makes him uncomfortable."

The desire to team up for giggle golf — however lucrative it may be — marks a dramatic evolution for golf's most high-profile frenemies. At a long ago Masters, when Woods was an intriguing amateur prospect and Mickelson a hotshot young pro being billed as the Next Nicklaus, Tiger sneaked a reporter into the Crow's Nest, the tiny dormitory perched atop the Augusta National clubhouse. Woods was monitoring the telecast when Mickelson flashed onto the screen. With his long, languid stroke, Phil charged a putt past the hole. As the ball trickled farther and farther away, Tiger offered only one word of commentary: "Roll."

The antipathy began on the playing fields of junior golf. Woods and Mickelson grew up in Southern California suburbia, separated by 100 miles but linked by their generational talent — both were prodigies from the earliest age. Older by 5 1/2 years, Mickelson loomed over Woods's early golf life. "Phil was an icon to us," says Tiger's junior golf buddy Chris Riley, who would also reach the PGA Tour. Woods's father, Earl, receives most of the credit for his son's competitive spirit but it was his mom, Tida, who sharpened his killer instinct. With her it was personal. Any player who was as accomplished as the young Tiger was considered not just a competitor but a threat. So as Woods chased Mickelson's numerous junior records throughout the 1980s, he was imbued with a strong disdain for a flashy counterpart he barely knew.

This dynamic carried over to the PGA Tour. As Woods was reshaping the sport in his image he had little use for Mickelson. This played out in press conference jabs, a famously frosty pairing at the Ryder Cup and other slights large and small. When Tiger began headlining made-for-TV exhibitions around the turn of the century he tapped not his most talented and popular peer but lesser-lights David Duval, Sergio Garcia…and Karrie Webb? It wasn't until year five that Mickelson became a part of the show, but his chemistry with Woods was so awkward it helped kill the entire "Battle At…" franchise.

So while the Tiger-Phil rivalry has been a lifetime in the making, the groundwork was first laid for their proposed $10 million match four years ago in a sterile press room in Scotland. In the charged moments following the United States's loss at the 2014 Ryder Cup, Mickelson put his name on the line by calling out the mismanagement of U.S. captain Tom Watson and the bungling bureaucrats at the PGA of America who had enabled him. Woods didn't play in that Ryder Cup but he readily signed on to the Ryder Cup Task Force, which was hastily assembled after Mickelson's comments to reform the Americans' culture of futility. Tiger and Phil were the dominant voices on the Task Force, and this meeting of the minds began a long-overdue détente between golf's biggest stars.

In early 2015, when Woods was suffering through the chip-yips, Mickelson reached out and offered to help him. Given their previous frostiness, it was a gesture of deep empathy. Throughout 2016, Tiger and Phil maintained a steady correspondence while exchanging ideas about that year's Ryder Cup, where Woods would serve as a vice captain and Mickelson the team leader. That week at Hazeltine, Phil knew his reputation was at stake, and he was deeply moved by Tiger's activist support.

"He was big a part of everything," Mickelson said in a recent sit-down interview for a cover story in the August edition of GOLF. "He's been a great vice captain because he's so detail-oriented. Guys listen to him and respect him. They look at him with awe and admiration. When he says something, it's taken very seriously. And so having his input and his voice be heard more was a big deal for us [in 2016] and continues to be."

The friendship continues to blossom. At this year's WGC-Mexico City, where Mickelson spent the entire week around the top of the leaderboard, Woods texted him encouragement every night and heartfelt congratulations after the victory. Of course, their correspondence is not always so syrupy. In private, both Mickelson and Woods are preeminent trash talkers, though Phil has often found himself stymied.

"The tough thing is that he has the trump card: his career record. OK?" Mickelson says. "Whether it's 14 majors, 79 wins, however many players of the year awards, FedEx Cups, the whole deal. He owns all the trump cards. So I have to be very careful and strategic in my smack talk, because if I lay something down, in comes a trump card, you know, and then shuts me right up."

This dynamic is one of the selling points to their made-for-TV match. Both players are on board with wearing microphones, and Mickelson allows, "You will hear a lot of the comments that you don't hear on regular TV. We both like to talk smack, and we both have fun with what we're doing. And the fact that this isn't an official tournament, that it's just a head-to-head match, you'll hear some of the little nuances, some of the little things that you don't normally pick up."

Given that both are sitting on fortunes in the mid- to high-nine figures, is $10 million really that big of a deal? "It's a ridiculous amount of money," Mickelson says. "No matter how much money you have, this amount will take both of us out of our comfort zone."

Woods and Mickelson are both showmen and salesmen, so it was only natural that they would look for an opportunity to leverage their starpower together. But Mickelson sees a potential match as a celebration of their friendship rather than a mere money grab, saying, "As we've developed a good relationship, we've started to collaborate on some other things that have allowed us to achieve things that we couldn't do on our own. Like this match. I couldn't do it on my own. He couldn't do it on his own. But together, we're [trying] to create something pretty special."

An initial match in Las Vegas — Shadow Creek is the likely venue — is just the beginning of their shared vision. Mickelson says he and Woods hope to play a couple exhibitions a year, around the world. Sometimes they could partner up — depending on how the Ryder Cup goes, it's easy to envision Tiger and Phil taking on two top Europeans (a match with Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter as the opposition could be particularly juicy). Woods and Mickelson are both shrewd businessmen, and they are trying to set up this new venture so they essentially own the matches and thus will get a chunk of the TV revenue, merchandising, and sponsorship dough.

This is all of a piece with golf's most famous friendship. Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer began as bitter rivals but quickly learned to get along because it was better for business; their global barnstorming together helped both of them build empires. And over the years a deep affection grew. Similarly, Tiger and Phil have so much in common. Only they can relate to the intense pressure and scrutiny each has faced throughout a legendary career in the modern media age. When you think about it, it never made sense for Tiger and Phil not to be friends. Mention this to Mickelson and he says, "You're 100 percent right, and we're realizing that."

Why did it take so long?

"I don't know," Phil said, "but we've turned the corner."

 

 

 

 

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

 

Bring back Shell's Wonderful World of Golf, with a 10 million winner take all prize pool!

 

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also heard Amy Mickelson focked Michael Jordan.

[patweisers44 696]

 

 

 

 

I also heard Amy Mickelson focked Michael Jordan.

Edjr = Apu?

[cbfalcon 824]

If we get unfiltered trash talk along the lines of what we'd actually hear during a Tuesday money match, it'll be great TV.

[dain11279 926]

Would be cool and I would tune in for sure but just wouldn't be the same as them in the final pairing on a Sunday at Augusta

[edjr 5,546]

If we get unfiltered trash talk along the lines of what we'd actually hear during a Tuesday money match, it'll be great TV.

 

 

Needs to be on HBO

[patweisers44 696]

If we get unfiltered trash talk along the lines of what we'd actually hear during a Tuesday money match, it'll be great TV.

They should also populate the other side of the ropes with various accusers and all haters of Phil and or Tiger. Allow heckling as well.

[edjr 5,546]

They should also populate the other side of the ropes with various accusers and all haters of Phil and or Tiger. Allow heckling as well.

 

Michael Jordan standing there with a Phil focked my wife sign

[patweisers44 696]

 

Michael Jordan standing there with a Phil focked my wife sign

I focked Phil's Wife?

[edjr 5,546]

I focked Phil's Wife?

Thought you were Ed?

[KSB2424 3,082]

Two man draft?

 

In

[ROCKFORD 134]

whatever happens, they will make a deal to chop the pot beforehand.

[edjr 5,546]

10 million doesn't even make it move for these guys.

 

should be 50 million from each, winner take all

[Cruzer 1,992]

Idk, the idea of two 40 year olds, well pas their prime, playing for petty cash - meh.

[edjr 5,546]

Idk, the idea of two 40 year olds, well pas their prime, playing for petty cash - meh.

 

GET OFF THE LAWN I'M CUTTING!

[patweisers44 696]

 

GET OFF THE LAWN I'M CUTTING!

[tanatastic 2,061]

Is a great idea and would be popular I’d think.

[edjr 5,546]

Is a great idea and would be popular I’d think.

 

only if they put up their own money

[TimmySmith 2,782]

I assume the tie breaker was number of marriages?

[edjr 5,546]

I assume the tie breaker was number of marriages?

 

[edjr 5,546]

http://www.golf.com/tour-news/2018/07/11/tiger-woods-vs-phil-mickelson-match-odds-betting-wagers

 

 

Looking to bet on Tiger vs. Phil? Here are all the odds and props available for the potential showdown

 

 

 

 

Odds to Win the $10 Million Tiger-Phil Match:

Tiger Woods 2/3

Phil Mickelson 3/2

Will the $10 Million Tiger-Phil Match Happen:

Yes 1/2

Total hole spread:

Tiger -1.5 holes

When will the match take place:

August: 12/1

September: 8/1

October: 5/2

November: 7/3

December: 5/1

2019: 16/1

Which broadcast network will air the event?

ABC/ESPN 4/3

NBC/GOLF CHANNEL 3/1

CBS 4/1

FOX/FS1 19/1

Pay-per-view 24/1

Netflix 99/1

Amazon 149/1

Yahoo 149/1

Youtube 199/1

Field 199/1

Tiger's shirt color:

Red 3/1

White 3/1

Black 4/1

Field 7/3

Phil's shirt color:

White 5/3

Black 5/2

Blue 4/1

Field 6/1

Odds of a hole-in-one by either player:

399/1

Odds a penalty stroke is assessed to either player:

25/1

Odds of being selected to play in the "Undercard" of Tiger-Phil:

Rory McIlroy: 4/1

Patrick Reed: 4/1

Dustin Johnson: 7/1

Rickie Fowler: 9/1

Jordan Spieth: 12/1

Sergio Garcia: 15/1

Brooks Koepka: 15/1

Michelle Wie: 24/1

John Daly: 24/1

Tony Romo: 39/1

Lexi Thompson: 39/1

Bill Murray: 49/1

John Smoltz: 49/1

Greg Norman: 59/1

Justin Timberlake: 74/1

Steph Curry: 99/1

Charles Barkley: 99/1

Aaron Rodgers: 124/1

 

 

[Mr. Hand 482]

What are the odds Phil hits another moving putt?

[WhiteWonder 2,170]

What are the odds Phil hits another moving putt?

 

0

[WhiteWonder 2,170]

http://www.golf.com/tour-news/2018/07/11/tiger-woods-vs-phil-mickelson-match-odds-betting-wagers

 

 

Looking to bet on Tiger vs. Phil? Here are all the odds and props available for the potential showdown

 

 

 

tiger in red, phil in black.

 

i'd probably take phil at 3/2

 

feels like october and nbc/golf chan unless they pimp it out to a streaming service but i doubt it.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

Pretending that one of them will lose money to the other is dumb. Theyll get a big enough piece of the action that they both make good money out of it.

[WhiteWonder 2,170]

I'm interested in general because it's tiger and phil but I really only CARE if they are each putting up 10 million of their own money to the winners charity of choice or something like that. I don't want them both making a payday off this and I don't want whatever they play for coming from sponsors.

 

Loser writes a check to the winners charity, the end. Tiger can write a check to science and math teachers of America (phil always had commercials about that right?) And Phil can write a check to Perkins....

[edjr 5,546]

Whenever the geek golf meet happens, we should hire a videographer

[ROCKFORD 134]

i think the format should be caddie shack style.

 

complete with costumes.

[dain11279 926]

PPV

 

No thanks

[tubby_mcgee 686]

Idk, the idea of two 40 year olds, well pas their prime, playing for petty cash - meh.

 

This.

[KSB2424 3,082]

PPV

 

No thanks

Really? Ugh.

[Reality 2,710]

PPV

 

No thanks

 

Oh, wow..

 

That's hilarious.

[NorthernVike 2,079]

PPV

 

No thanks

Pass

[dain11279 926]

 

Oh, wow..

 

That's hilarious.

 

Right.

 

I'm as big a Tiger guy there is (other then KSB) and there's no way I'd pay to watch that. They're playing for money? Big whoop, I'd rather see them playing for a green jacket.

[patweisers44 696]

I heard that Phil is gonna suggest that the loser had to caddie for the winner at the Par 3 contest at next years Masters. That would be awesome.

[posty 2,296]

PPV

 

No thanks

I wouldn't watch it if they paid me to watch it...

[Cloaca du jour 2,064]

Ppv...what a waste of a cool idea.

 

Ill watch the highlights

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

PPV? Maybe fifteen years ago. Now? Hell no.

[dain11279 926]

PPV? Maybe fifteen years ago. Now? Hell no.

 

Doesn't matter if they charge 5 bucks for it. I watched the PGA Championship for free last week and that was far more entertaining then this will ever be

[supermike80 1,284]

2 washed up golfers. Nah.

[patweisers44 696]

PPV? Maybe fifteen years ago. Now? Hell no.

Would you pay for the PPV if their S.O. caddied for them in bikinis AND got railed by Michael Jordan at the turn? KSB would, I am sure.