Best bets for The Match: Champions for Charity
Tiger Woods and Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning walk to the fourth putting green during the Pro-Am of the Memorial Tournament on May 29, 2019. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire)
May 22nd, 2020
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady tee off this Sunday in "The Match: Champions for Charity" at Medalist Golf Club.
The much-anticipated competition benefiting COVID-19 relief will feature Woods and Manning — the -220 favorites — on one team, and Mickelson and Brady (+165) on the other.
To pump up the excitement of this live sporting event, BetAmerica is offering a variety of props, as well as SuperOdds, on the match. Here are five of the most intriguing prop bets to consider for this legendary foursome.
Hole 1 winner
| Hole 1 winner | Odds |
|---|
Woods/Manning | +250 |
Draw | -150 |
Mickelson/Brady | +320 |
The format for the front nine is fourball, or best ball, with each player teeing off with their own ball to complete the hole. The best score between the two players on one team is compared to the best score from the opposing team, with the lowest score winning the hole.
Therefore, Hole 1 is basically a contest between Woods and Mickelson. While the score was tied after Hole 1 in the original Match between Phil and Tiger back at Shadow Creek Golf Course in 2018, Woods has the opportunity to start strong at Medalist, his home course.
Woods' recent form is also superior to Mickelson's, and with all the trash-talking that's occurred between these two, you can bet on Tiger to come out swinging on Sunday.
Even better, BetAmerica has boosted the odds of Woods/Manning winning the first hole, so back these two for a chance at a greater payout.
Tiger Woods & Peyton Manning Vs. Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady is what the world needs right now pic.twitter.com/eHk1LorFer
— Denver Broncos 365 (@DailyBroncos) May 7, 2020
Hole 1 longest drive
| Hole 1 winner | Odds |
|---|
Woods/Manning | +250 |
Draw | -150 |
Mickelson/Brady | +320 |
Though Woods is far more familiar with Medalist than the other players, that shouldn’t stop Mickelson from taking huge risks from the beginning.
Mickelson admittedly loves hitting bombs, and he averages 301.1 yards off the tee (76th on Tour). Woods’ average driving distance comes in below 300, and Manning and Brady are hardly a threat for this prop.
Bet Mickelson/Brady at -105.
Phil Mickelson saw Bubba Watson hitting bombs, then saw his "bear chest hair" and thought "If I have to have that to hit bombs, I don’t wanna hit bombs.” 😂
— ESPN (@espn) May 30, 2019
(via @PhilMickelson)pic.twitter.com/wl4Ibvab4V
Most par 3 winners
| Hole 1 winner | Odds |
|---|
Woods/Manning | +250 |
Draw | -150 |
Mickelson/Brady | +320 |
Between Brady and Manning, the former Colts quarterback is the superior golfer, playing at a 6.4 handicap. Manning has also had much more free time to practice his golf game, since his retirement from the NFL in 2016. Brady’s been gearing up for his first season in Tampa Bay and is allegedly an 8 handicap.
Since the front nine is mostly a competition between Woods and Mickelson, this prop bet will come down to the back nine, where the format changes to modified alternate shot. Each golfer will tee off from holes 10-18, then the pairs decide which ball to play and alternate shots from there.
Chances are Manning and Brady will go head to head on the green on these Par 3s, so the pressure will be on these two to sink a birdie putt. Brady came through with an eagle at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and his short game is possibly better than Manning's. There’s value in betting Brady/Mickelson, plus a Super Odds boost on the line.
Phil Mickelson had some high praise for Tom Brady's golf game ahead of "The Match" on Sunday against Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning. @MereGorman | @PhilMickelson | https://t.co/yuzNymax0w pic.twitter.com/3aVKHexEF7
— NESN (@NESN) May 19, 2020
Hole 4 nearest the pin after tee shot
| Hole 1 winner | Odds |
|---|
Woods/Manning | +250 |
Draw | -150 |
Mickelson/Brady | +320 |
The par 3, fourth hole is the shortest on the course, but also the toughest green, according to Hall of Fame golf coach Mike Adams. Based on Woods’ iron game and his familiarity with Medalist's layout, he’s the logical choice to land a shot closest to the pin on this challenging hole.
You can also bet the closest to the pin on Holes 8, 12, and 16, all par 3s between 205 and 235 yards.
A @TigerWoods long iron clinic 😍 pic.twitter.com/wxNKN1JhLh
— GOLFTV (@GOLFTV) April 2, 2020
Last hole played
| Hole 1 winner | Odds |
|---|
Woods/Manning | +250 |
Draw | -150 |
Mickelson/Brady | +320 |
This event wouldn’t be "made for TV" if it ended around Hole 13. With so many on-course challenges mixed in to raise additional funds for COVID-19 relief, and two amateur golfers playing alongside Woods and Mickelson, this competition will most likely go the distance.
The original "The Match: Tiger vs. Phil" in 2018 ended in a Mickelson victory after 22 holes. Last week’s TaylorMade Driving Relief skins match between Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Matthew Wolff, and Rickie Fowler also went beyond 18 holes.
The best bet is for the foursome to play the 18th hole, but if you think one team can put their competition to bed early, back Hole 17 (+275).
The Match: Champions for Charity will begin at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 24, and will air simultaneously on TNT, TBS, truTV, and HLN. Find the full list of prop bets on the match at BetAmerica.
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