The golf exhibition series known as ‘The Match’ has been hugely popular with fans and bettors since the first edition was played in 2018 featuring legendary players Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. Another variation has been the team format and that’s what we have for the seventh iteration with Woods and Rory McIlroy going against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in a 12-hole competition that will aid Hurricane Ian relief efforts. The made-for-TV event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 10.
By all accounts the 82-time PGA Tour winner Woods and reigning FedExCup champion and world No. 1 McIroy should be viewed as the favorites. But Woods’ inactivity and his recent withdrawal from the Hero World Challenge, a tournament he hosts by the way, due to a foot problem have raised some red flags. Spieth and Thomas went 4-0 as teammates at the Presidents Cup a few months back leading the US to victory. And they’ve been installed as a slight favorite for the event that takes place at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla. at 6 p.m. ET with television coverage provided by TNT.
On top of the outright there will also be countless wagering opportunities in a variety of other markets. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete, updated list of odds and to place your wager on The Match.
2022 The Match Betting Odds
Tiger Woods / Rory McIlroy +105
Jordan Spieth / Justin Thomas -135
The Players
This will be the first time playing competitively for Woods since he missed the cut at The Open back in July. He was set to play at his Hero World Challenge last week before backing out due to plantar fasciitis. Woods maintains he can make the necessary shots to compete at the same level as the best players in the game today with the use of a cart coming in handy. “I can hit the golf ball and hit whatever shot you want. I just can’t walk,” he said recently. If McIlroy needs to handle a bulk of the work for his team he’s more than capable. He’s been the hottest player on the planet winning the TOUR Championship to close last season and the CJ CUP in his first start this season. He also ventured to the DP World Tour registering four top-5s in as many starts.
Spieth and Thomas share a special bond that will certainly play a role in any success they enjoy at this exhibition. They’ve been regular partners at the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup. Spieth had a magical time a few months back leading the US to a win over the international squad at the Presidents Cup going 5-0-0 with four of those wins coming with Thomas as his partner. They also teamed at the two most recent Ryder Cups going 4-2-0, so they certainly know their way around the team format with plenty of success to prove it. Spieth and Thomas, as well as McIlroy, are making their debuts in The Match franchise, but I doubt that will be an issue given the laid back atmosphere of the event.
The Format
We’ve seen several different formats used in this event depending on who’s competing. This edition of The Match will feature the standard two-person best ball format. This format allows for each golfer to play his own game while also taking advantage of a partner who could be in a groove. After each hole the player with the lowest score or ‘best ball’ serves as the team score.
The Course
Located just outside Tampa in the sleepy enclave of Belleair, the Pelican Golf Club has been a regular site on the LPGA Tour. However, this is the first time PGA players will navigate the layout. And the quartet will do so under the lights making the experience even more daunting. The full 18-hole layout stretches to just under 7,000 yards but only 12 holes will be used, including the property’s signature 12th. At roughly 150 yards it’s not long, but it’s the only hole that requires carry over water resembling the iconic island green at TPC Sawgrass. Under the routing for The Match, this will be the eighth of 12 holes.
The Outcome
With each player having won multiple major championships with 24 between them and all being ranked No. 1 in the world at some point during their career, this is the finest collection of players The Match has seen. It’s hard to trust Woods, though, and while Rory is capable of carrying the team, the Spieth/Thomas connection is hard to overlook. Those two just feed off each other making them better and in the end winners.
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