It’s official: ‘The Match’ is really happening, and the golf world is atwitter. And speaking of Twitter, newly-minted Tweeter Phil Mickelson, (who just happened to join the social media platform for the first time on Wednesday), is champing at the bit for some pre-match banter.
Woods had the honor of announcing the official match date on Wednesday afternoon, complete with a cool graphic.
It’s on @PhilMickelson #TigerVSPhil pic.twitter.com/PZivYPOEf5
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) August 22, 2018
Phil wasted no time replying.
I bet you think this is the easiest $9M you will ever make
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 22, 2018
Tiger then upped the ante with the trophy emoji.
Think you will earn some bragging rights?
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) August 22, 2018
Though it may seem innocuous, trophy mentions are a strategic way to beat Phil in the game of trash talk — at least, if your name is Tiger Woods. Phil told Alan Shipnuck earlier this year that it’s the only way he can lose a battle of the barbs.
“The tough thing is that [Tiger] he has the trump card: his career record. Okay?” Phil said. “Whether it’s 14 majors, 79 wins, however many player-of-the-year awards, FedEx Cups. He owns all the trump cards. So I have to be very careful and strategic in my smack talk, because if I lay something down, in comes a trump card, you know, and that shuts me right up.”
It certainly seemed like that’s just what Tiger did, because Phil’s next Tweet was positive, with a friendly hashtag coupled with the thumbs-up emoji.
Let’s do this #TigerVsPhil
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 22, 2018
And just when you think all this smack talk is over — boom! Phil opens the floodgates with this gem of a barb.
@TigerWoods I see you have a left-handed driver, well played. I hope it’s a Callaway pic.twitter.com/qWuXsGVC6z
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) August 22, 2018
Tiger has yet to respond. So, if you’re keeping track in the pre-match banter department, we’ll give this round to Phil.
