Mon 12/11/2018 - 04:01 EST

How to Bet Tiger Woods vs Phil Mickelson PPV

How to Bet Tiger Woods vs Phil Mickelson PPV

The two biggest names in golf over the last two decades Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson face off with $9 million at stake. The one-on-one game being called “The Match” is not only a must-see event, but also a must-bet one. Here’s your in-depth betting preview and picks ahead of the pay-per-view.

As the game's two premier players of the last 20 years, Woods and Mickelson will forever be linked with one another. However, a deep dive into their "rivalry" shows it's been a mostly one-sided affair. Woods owns career advantages in major titles (14-5) and tour victories (80-43). This feud is more like Tom Brady-Peyton Manning than Cristiano Ronaldo-Leonardo Messi.

Nonetheless, this is a match that needed to happen right now. Neither one is getting any younger, with Woods nearing 43 and Mickelson at 48. Calling them past their prime would be a stretch, though.

Video thumbnail

The Official World Golf rankings have Woods as the 13th best player in the world and Mickelson 26th. Both are in the midst of a career resurgence. Neither had won a PGA Tour event since 2013 until this year. Mickelson captured the WGC-Mexico Championship back in March, followed by Woods' dramatic win at the Tour Championship in September.

Bovada has Woods slotted as -250 favorite to win the exhibition, with Mickelson getting +175 odds. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the duel:

What are the rules?

This will be contested under match-play rules. Points are awarded on a hole-by-hole basis. This differs from the standard stroke-play rules PGA tournaments are played under, which totals strokes throughout the duration of 18 holes.  

The showdown will take place on Black Friday on November 23. The state-of-the-art Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas will host both world-class golfers and no fans will be present. 

For those who want to watch, it'll be available on pay-per-view for $20 a pop. Both Woods and Mickelson will be mic'd up, so the live trash talk will set this apart from the usual TV tournaments.  

Who wins?

Is Tiger back? Well, depends on what you consider "back?" Admittedly, he'll never return to his early to mid-2000s self — a stretch where he racked up an eye-popping 12 major championships. If we're being honest, there might not be another golfer that ever matches that dominance.

Video thumbnail

Regardless, this is the best Woods has played in ten years. During 2018, Woods led through 10 holes at the US Open, then finished runner-up at the FedEx Cup. It all culminated with a win at the Tour Championship. For a guy who has been through as much personal turmoil and injuries as Woods, this run has been sweet vindication. 

On the other end, Mickelson has everything to gain, and almost nothing to lose. He's played in Woods shadow his entire career and enters as the underdog. If he wins, great. If he doesn't, no one will be surprised. That lack of pressure makes Mickelson a tantalizing option — but we're not biting.

Woods has had Phil's number his entire career. He's also playing better than Mickelson as of late. Playing under match-play rules also benefits Woods. One blown hole or screw up — which has unraveled Woods more than once recently — won't really matter. Expect Woods to become $9 million richer come Black Friday (as if need to add more to his career winnings of $115 million). 

Pick: Woods (-250)

See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:

Category : News

More articles...
News - 24/01/25
Boston Celtics Remain Huge Favorites to Win the 2025 Eastern Conference 

It's hard to believe that we are flying thus far through the 2024-25 NBA season. Before you know it, the All-Star Game will be there and then people are going to start thinking about the postseason. Which teams will be able to go on deep runs? Thus far, plenty of teams have looked strong, but […]

News - 22/01/25
Pegasus World Cup 2025: Stronghold can break out against older 

The season for older dirt horses revs up Saturday, January 25 in the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park! The $3 million race is run at 1 ⅛ miles over the dirt at Gulfstream Park, and as always the race drew a large field of the best dirt runners in the country. It is one […]

News - 20/01/25
Ohio State is Our Pick to Win the 2025 CFP Title Game vs. Notre Dame 

What: 2025 NCAAF National Championship Game Who: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame When: Monday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia How to watch: ESPN It's all coming down to this. College football fans across the planet were treated to some incredible games to the regular season and thus far […]

News - 17/01/25
Ravens Are Small Favorites Over the Bills in the 2025 Divisional Round 

What: 2025 NFL Divisional Round Who: Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills Where: Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, New York When: Sunday, January 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET How to watch: CBS and Paramount+ After a thrilling opening week of the NFL postseason, only eight teams remain in the hunt to win the Super Bowl this season. […]