Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are about to tee it up on national TV alongside golf’s two biggest stars. No pressure, right? Luckily, Manning and Brady have some game themselves. Manning has a 6.4 handicap index and Brady’s is 8.1. But playing at their home courses with their friends is completely different than doing so with two guys who own 20 career major titles.
We know all about what Manning did on the football field (two Super Bowl titles, five MVPs), but what about his golf game? Here are five things to know. Make sure to tune in for The Match: Champions for Charity at 3 p.m. ET Sunday on TNT, TBS, truTV and HLN.
1. Peyton Manning is a member at Augusta National Golf Club
That’s right, Manning is a member at one of the most famous and exclusive clubs in the world. It was first reported in November 2016 that he was invited, and at the time it was believed to be at least the fourth club he belonged to. The others were Castle Pines and Cherry Hills in Colorado (remember, he played for the Denver Broncos) and Crooked Stick near Indianapolis (where he played for the Colts before going to Denver). Castle Pines and Cherry Hills are the courses Manning is currently registered to through his USGA handicap.
2. Manning has been Jack Nicklaus’ partner in big-time events
Everyone knows about the Masters at Augusta National, but there’s another big event there — the annual member-member held every March called The Jamboree.
Here’s what Jack Nicklaus told GOLF’s Michael Bamberger earlier this year about The Jamboree:
“Peyton is probably a 5 or a 6 (handicap),” Nicklaus said. “We played in it I think twice and we had a chance both times. I choked coming home. I wouldn’t put it on Peyton. I didn’t finish very well. They have two prizes, gross and net. The main prize is net. Five or 6, that’s not enough for me. But several years ago I shot 72. I haven’t been able to live down that reputation since then. People say, ‘You’re a 5?’ And I say, ‘If I play well, I might break 80.’”
3. Manning’s handicap is, well, tricky to decipher sometimes
Here’s what he said at the 2019 Memorial after he finished his pro-am with Woods.
4. Manning has ties to one of the coolest 9-hole clubs around
Sweetens Cove Golf Club has blown up over the last couple of years. The 9-hole course in South Pittsburg, Tenn., is fun, affordable and brilliantly designed, and in May 2019 the club announced five new co-owner partners. Manning, who starred at the University of Tennessee just a couple of hours down the road, was one of them.
5. Manning has already played golf on TV once this year
The last time you might have seen Manning play golf on TV (or maybe the only time?) was back in February at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Manning teamed up with Luke Donald. (His official handicap for the event was listed as an 8.) Manning and Donald tied for 9th, which gave big brother Peyton bragging rights over his brother, Eli, who teamed with Kevin Chappell and missed the cut.
Manning has appeared at other Tour events as well. Woods and Manning played together at the 2019 Memorial pro-am in Dublin, Ohio. “I’ve played a lot of golf with Tiger all the way through the years,” Manning said. “It doesn’t really amaze me much anymore (what he does), because I’ve seen so many incredible things that you kind of come to expect it. When he makes a par, it’s kind of like you’re surprised.”
