On Sunday May 24, 2020 Future Hall of Fame Quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Tom Brady teamed up with PGA legends Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at the Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Florida for COVID-19 Relief. Dubbed the Match 2.0 Mickelson and Woods this time squared off in 2020 with NFL partners as they went mano-a-mano in the original match in 2019.
Not only did the group raise 20 million dollars for a great cause during this trying time they also lifted the spirits of a nation that is hurting during the pandemic. Americans not only have dealt with the hardships of the illness, but financial disruptions, job loss and social distance loneliness. This match gave the country the live sports entertainment it has been so greatly starving for.
All 4 golfers were mic’d up and the fun they had with each other really had great entertainment value for the viewers. The comic relief really came in with the analysts Charles Barkley and Justin Thomas who had some amusing bantering during the match. The guest appearances by players such as JJ Watt and Russell Wilson amongst others really added some extra flair to the event.
The match started even during the front nine best ball format until Tiger and Peyton quickly pulled ahead to a 3 hole lead, despite a remarkable holed shot from Tom Brady. Woods and Manning were up by two at the turn.
The back nine changed formats to alternating shot and had a slight momentum change as Lefty Mickelson and TB12 still had some fight in them. The putting by Mickelson and his instruction for Brady’s putts put the pair down one in the home stretch of the match. Peyton Manning, even with his constant football references towards the close match was money on the par 3’s. His tee shot on hole 16 was measured at a mere 17.5 inches from the cup, and even Woods and Mickelson were impressed.
Tiger and Manning eventually held off the late rally but the match had to go through all 18 holes to settle when Tiger lagged a long put within gimme distance to seal the deal.
These gentlemen did a great thing for the COVID-19 relief effort by using their clout and celebrity status to bring not only funds but some great enjoyment and hope for the fans.
