Comes the news today that two of golf’s biggest winners are (maybe) planning on playing a high stakes golf match for $10 million. Of their own money?
There are a lot of unanswered questions tonight as to why Phil Mickelson (winner of 43 professional events and 5 majors) wants to square off with Tiger Woods (winner of 79 tournaments including 14 majors). Exactly why would two of the most successful players in PGA Tour history want to face-off in front of a national television audience for $10 million?
The story apparently began when Phil and Tiger rekindled their long-term oft-times icy and always dicey friendship at this year’s Masters tournament in April. Both players are from California with Mickelson (now 47) about six years older than Tiger. Phil was a junior golf, college, and amateur sensation. Tiger one-upped him at nearly every turn several years later.
Over the years, these two golf icons seem to have always held a mutual (but begrudging) respect for each other, but neither has been particularly fond of the other one.
The duo’s relationship is quite unlike that of fan favorite Arnold Palmer with his younger prodigy, Jack Nicklaus. In the 1960’s, Arnie’s Army initially despised Big Jack, but Palmer quickly grew to respect Nicklaus as their personal friendship blossomed while the two (along with Gary Player) helped grow interest in the game of golf by leaps and bounds. Competitive to the end, these golfers were also very respectful of each other and seemed to have the best interests of the tour in mind during their playing heyday.
For the past twenty years, Phil and Tiger have done their share to give golf another jolt of fan interest and, importantly, better paydays for the players. Like Arnie, Phil Mickelson has generally been considered the more friendly and approachable star. Woods, like Nicklaus, has seemed more content on destroying the competition for the majority of his career.
Though every bit as competitive as The Big Three of the 60’s and 70’s, Mickelson and Woods seem to be drawn to high risk ventures. Phil remains scarred by an insider trading scandal from a few years ago. Tiger remains scarred by, well, you know that story all too well.
Both players are fading in their respective careers. While Phil gained a victory this year (the WGC-Mexico) for the first time since his brilliant 2013 British Open victory, Tiger Woods remains winless since 2013 during his most recent comeback attempt following a variety of surgeries and personal issues.
But, really. $10 million of your own money?
“It’s a ridiculous amount of money,” Mickelson says. “No matter how much money you have, this amount will take both of us out of our comfort zone.”
Woods added, “I’m definitely not against that. We’ll play for whatever makes him uncomfortable.”
In its current form, I think this is a horrible idea. Both players will look like a couple of spoiled rich kids if this plays out the way we are currently being led to believe. Both players’ personal mistakes will be magnified in the build-up to this match, too. Both will look as greedy and selfish as it seems to the rest of us.
If you guys insist on doing this, here’s a better idea.
Put up $1 million each of your own money. Get some sponsors to put the other $8 million into the pot to bring the total to $10 million. The winner will donate the $8 million of sponsors’ money to a variety of the winner’s favorite charities plus the winner donates his own $1 million to the charity of his choice. The loser will take his own $1 million and donate it to his charity of choice.
I think playing for charities will make these two players even more nervous than playing for their own already bloated wallets.
In my opinion, playing the match for personal cash and satisfaction will bring dishonor to both players, tarnish the game itself, and encourage high stakes gambling. I think it would also be a really bad example to any kids who may have looked-up to these two golf stars (especially their own kids).
Amy Mickelson may already have a divorce attorney on speed dial. Tiger’s ex probably should have her attorney verify that Woods’ child support checks are still good to cash if he loses.
Guys, seriously. As this currently appears, the event will be an incredibly selfish clash of golfing egos.
In the name of Arnold Palmer, it might be best just to forget the whole thing.