The Match 2022 – Spieth, Thomas defeat Woods, McIlroy

It might not have been as compelling as some had hoped, but at least golf fans got to see Tiger Woods on a golf course — under the lights on a Saturday night, no less.

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Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas defeated World No. 1 Woods and Rory McIlroy 3 and 2 in 10 holes of the seventh edition of The Match at Pelican Golf Club outside of Tampa, Fla.

Woods, making his first appearance since missing the cut at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in July, had a few good moments but the competition belonged to Spieth and JT. The winning duo combined seven birdies to defeat their opponents. Woods and McIlroy together for just one.

Still, it was a good night and a fun event that raised millions of dollars for relief efforts in Florida following the devastation of Hurricane Ian.

“The fact that we were able to do something under the lights that has never happened before in our sport to help it grow in a different way,” Woods told TNT when asked what he’s into would remember most. “Including the people who were devastated by Hurricane Ian. We were able to create a lot more resources, a lot more opportunities for people to grow back here, and that’s important. We are Floridians. I know from the eastern side what kind of havoc it can wreak. These people no longer have a home or a life, and I’m glad we were all able to come together and do something about it.”

Woods, 46, has appeared on two previous editions of The Match but it was the debuts for McIlroy, Spieth and Thomas. Here’s how The Match went:

This is a wrap

And that’s that. JT and Spieth defeated Rory and Tiger. “Second place isn’t bad guys,” Thomas said to McIlroy and Woods after Spieth’s winning putt.

Hey Tiger and Rory…

WHAT HAPPENED?!?! pic.twitter.com/twrgI3C6pP

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2022

Introduction to the University of Alabama

It always goes back to the Iron Bowl. Charles Barkley, a former basketball star from Auburn, gave JT grief about “Alabama University”.

The rivalry between JT and Chuck was a highlight 😂#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/AT2IcwcBh9

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2022

Turn up trash talk

Rory and Tiger get a hole back and throw in some trash talk 😅#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/Rth3EfHQuS

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2022

A look into the future?

The year is 2055. The match will be held at a new country club on Mars. Charles Barkley says something funny. I follow with a stupid tweet out of envy. Tiger potted an 8 foot on the last to hit Spieth’s son 1-up

— maxhoma (@maxhoma23) December 11, 2022

JT and Spieth go ahead

These guys are good. With just a 5-wood on a one-club challenge on the 455-yard, par-4 fourth hole, JT somehow makes par. JT and Spieth are 3-up after four holes. Tiger and Rory are very busy.

455-yard par 4. With nothing but a 5-wood.

JT makes par. pic.twitter.com/1LM1Ud3o7Z

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2022

Here comes Charlie

Woods said his 13-year-old son Charlie still hasn’t beat him but recently overtook him.

“I hate to say it, but I’ll admit it. He finally did it a few weeks ago,” Woods said. And Tiger said the day Charlie hits him “is coming.” They will play together at the PNC Championships in Orlando next week.

“I admit it. He finally made it.”

13-year-old Charlie Woods is already surpassing his father 😮pic.twitter.com/ZwCNZgIprH

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2022

Early check in with Tiger

Charles Barkley with a serious journalistic question to Woods: “How’s your foot?” Tiger’s response: “It’s still appropriate. It’s good.”

Stay hydrated

It’s real golf now – and John Daly isn’t even there.

Justin Thomas already has a Coors Light in his basket in case you’re doubting the seriousness of today’s celebrations. pic.twitter.com/ECAoqlwvXC

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) December 10, 2022

under the lights

We’re just minutes from the start of The Match Season 7, and as Woods pointed out, it’s the first time it’s been played entirely under spotlights.

A special Saturday red for tigers. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/ogQYtzQgTR

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 10, 2022

Greetings from Lefty

Raise your hand if you were expecting an olive branch from Mickelson today.

I’m proud to have been a part of the making of The Match. Today will be an entertaining, fun and insightful release and I wish Tiger, Rory, JT and Jordan all the best. I’ll watch it on TNT and I hope you will too.

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) December 10, 2022

Set the stage

Jordan. justin rory Tiger.

The assortment is waiting 🏌️ ♂️ pic.twitter.com/UXawRJxrhX

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 10, 2022

Carts are lit and ready💡#CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/ONiAFqtxpF

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 10, 2022

Game preview

Woods, a 15-time major champion, plans to compete even as he struggles to recover from plantar fasciitis in his right foot. He was forced to withdraw from the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas last week, benefiting his foundation, and told reporters there doctors had told him the painful condition was related to injuries he sustained in a car accident outside of Bahamas in February 2021 Los Angeles had suffered.

Woods said that being able to use a golf cart will help him tremendously and that “it’s just hard to get from point A to point B.” He competed in just nine rounds in three majors last year. His most recent start was a missed cut at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in July.

Golf fans will surely be happy to see Woods swinging a club again. He also plans to play with his son Charlie at the PNC Championships next week in Orlando, Fla. Woods will again be able to use a cart at this 36-hole event.

With former NBA legend Charles Barkley once again providing in-game commentary, there should be plenty of humor. And it’s hard to imagine that LIV Golf and its CEO and commissioner, two-time Open winner Greg Norman, wouldn’t be assaulted a few times during a PGA Tour commercial. Last week, McIlroy told the Independent of London that he plans to “make it my mission to be just as annoying now [Norman’s] ass as possible.”

Tiger Woods (right) says trash talk, friendly or not, won’t help Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Eric Gay/AP

While the golfers are friendly competitors, McIlroy says none of them like to lose.

“I was on the wrong side of them at the Ryder Cup before trying to get back at them,” said McIlroy. “I couldn’t ask for a better partner. The partner I had against them before doesn’t quite compare to the one I’ll have on Saturday night.”

The 12-hole match begins at 6:00 p.m. ET and will be played under floodlights. It is a best ball format where each player plays their own ball on holes and the lowest score of the two players counts as the team score.

“I can tell you one thing: I’ve got world No. 1 on my team, so I’m good,” Woods said. “He’s going to have the best cheerleader he’s ever had.”

McIlroy expects more from his teammate.

Thomas and Spieth are slight favorites (-130) over McIlroy and Woods (+110), according to Caesars Sportsbook oddsmakers.

“[Tiger is] probably the best iron player that ever lived,” said McIlroy. “Probably the best golfer who ever lived, period. I think if he can make it out on the fairway and get a few looks off the fairway, I think we’ll have a very good chance.”

From the first tees, there will be lots of friendly trash talk.

“She’s pretty hard to screw with,” Thomas said. “I feel like I’m on the first tee Jordan and I just have to put it bluntly, OK, you guys have more Majors than we do, you guys have more FedEx Cups than we do, you both have planes and we don’t, let’s just make this public.” , so it won’t be used against us in our match.

“They are both quick and funny,” said Spieth. “I told Justin that we might have to go the nice guy route, which isn’t normal for us in this type of game.”

“It’s not going to work either way,” Woods added.