The match that much of the golf world had been looking forward to — actually, much of the sports world, as well — teed off under pouring rain with no fans on an exclusive course on Sunday. And it was fantastic.
Sure, there was some good, some bad and some in between, but for the most part, it was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. When it was all settled, Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning beat Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady 1 up at Medalist in The Match: Champions for Charity. Here’s what you missed.
Tom Brady is all of us
Tom Brady, on the green, air counting his shots is something we can all relate to.
Welcome back, Tiger Woods
Remember, the last time we had a PGA Tour event, it was the Players Championship, and Woods was not there. He was trying to get healthy, and this was the first time we had seen him on the course since — and he didn’t disappoint. Woods looked fit, loose and, well, fantastic. He didn’t miss a fairway all day. Hopefully we’ll see a healthy Woods back out on Tour soon.
These cameras in the carts
The access to these guys was great. And with Brady and Manning in the mix the whole entertainment package was much better than when Woods and Mickelson faced off in Las Vegas in 2018.
Tom Brady’s highs and lows
Brady has six Super Bowl rings, four Super Bowl MVPs and is a 14-time Pro Bowler, but the golf course doesn’t care about your resume or how perfect your life seems to be. Brady struggled early, and Twitter was having a field day. So of course it makes perfect sense that Brady had without question the best shot of the day, when he spun in an approach on the 7th hole for birdie.
Justin Thomas
The Medalist member and World No. 4 put on the headset and gave smart and interesting insight all day long. It was a great debut for Thomas if this golf thing never works out.
We need new pants!
Because Tom Brady split his.
Phil Mickelson went Phil Mickelson on No. 11
Mickelson and Brady were 3 down after 10, but the duo won its first hole on 11 thanks to a big drive from Mickelson. While playing modified alternate shot on the back nine, Brady found the fairway on the short par-4, which meant Mickelson could rip away at the green. He did. Driving the green, sending the ball past the flag and coming to rest on the fringe. Brady, in turn, then helped his partner out, draining the long eagle putt, which we can count as his second-best shot of the day behind his hole-out on 7..
The modified alternate shot
Woods and Manning got off to a 3-up lead on the front nine, which was best ball. But it got a lot more fun on the back nine when they instead played modified alternate shot. It was faster, and hearing the players strategize on which ball to take and Mickelson and Co. suggest clubs for their partners added an element to the match the front nine lacked.