Team Daly Holds Off Tiger Woods, Son Charlie to Win 2021 PNC Championship
Dec 19, 2021
John Daly, left, fist bumps son John Daly II on the third green during the second round of the PNC Championship golf tournament Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Team Daly held off Team Woods to claim the PNC Championship on Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.
John Daly and John Daly II shot 15 under on the final day to finish at 27 under, two shots better than the Woods in the two-person scramble format.
PNC Championship Leaderboard
1. Team Daly (-27)
2. Team Woods (-25)
T3. Team Thomas (-24)
T3. Team Cink (-24)
T5. Team Lehman (-21)
T5. Team Singh (-21)
Sunday provided an all-too-familiar sight with Team Woods mounting a major charge in the final round, only this time it wasn't Tiger striking fear into his competitors.
Charlie Woods stole the show as he and his dad reeled off 11 straight birdies to steadily move up the leaderboard. The 12-year-old delivered a sublime tee shot on the par-three 17th hole that helped Team Woods grab a share of the lead.
Tiger's competitive drive is legendary. During the biggest moments, the 15-time major champion was unflappable in his prime. The 45-year-old has apparently passed that killer instinct down to his son.
Charlie Woods hasnāt smiled in like an hour. Just hit a butter cut 4 iron to 4 feet and holed it from the back tees. Did not acknowledge any of the people yelling his name as he walked to the next tee. Tunnel vision. Apple, meet tree.
Team Daly quickly responded with a birdie on No. 16 to retake first place.
Team Woods' birdie streak came to an end on the 18th hole, leaving them at 25 under. That meant the PNC Championship was the Dalys to lose. John and John II earned a par on No. 17 to maintain a one-shot lead as they approached the 18th tee box.
John could've sealed the victory with an eagle but sank his birdie putt to put the finishing touches on the win.
Since Charlie and Tiger Woods are likely to grab most the headlines coming out of the tournament, the work of Team Daly shouldn't go overlooked.
The 55-year-old Daly and his 18-year-old son carded a 12-under 60 on Saturday to sit one shot behind leaders Team Cink following the opening round. They opened Sunday by going eight under on the front nine.
John delivered a number of key shots in tense situations, yet the lasting image from the tournament might be him calmly watching the action unfold on the final hole and taking a quick smoke break.
Who looks better than Tiger and Charlie Woods to win this thing?
The tournament encapsulated why Daly has long remained a fan favorite.
With the PNC Championship completed, it will be time for the top stars in the field to take a bit of a break before the calendar shifts over to 2022.
The Sentry Tournament of Champions will be the first event of the new year on the PGA Tour when it tees off Jan. 6 at Kapalua in Hawaii.
Tiger Woods, Son Charlie Shoot 10 Under in Opening Round at PNC Championship
Dec 18, 2021
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 18: Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods line up a putt during round one of the PNC Championship at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club Grande Lakes on December 18, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Playing his first competitive round of golf in a year, Tiger Woods showed some glimpses of his old self at the 2021 PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday.
Tiger teamed with his 12-year-old son, Charlie, in the first round of the tournament, which features major champions competing alongside family members in a scramble format.
Woods had not competed in a golf tournament since last year's PNC Championship, which marked the first time he and Charlie teamed up. Tiger underwent back surgery a few days after the 2020 PNC Championship and then suffered multiple injuries in a serious car crash in February.
There were questions regarding whether the 15-time major champion would ever golf again after the crash, making his return this weekend a huge moment in the sport.
While Tiger merely playing at all was a bigger deal than his overall performance, he and Charlie performed well and ended the day in a tie for fifth place with a score of 10-under.
The Woods family carded 10 birdies in the round and trail the leaders, Stewart and Reagan Cink, by three strokes entering the final round.
While all eyes were on Tiger, Charlie stole the show in many respects at last year's PNC Championship thanks to his strong play and Tiger-like mannerisms, and that was the case at times Saturday as well.
Tiger and Charlie were paired with Justin Thomas and his father, Mike, who won the tournament last year. Before the teams teed off, Justin and Tiger had a funny exchange regarding how much Tiger would be leaning on his son:
Justin Thomas to Tiger on the first tee:
āSo youāre just gonna have Charlie carry you guys, huh?ā
While Charlie did a lot of the heavy lifting Saturday with his dad still progressing in his recovery, Tiger raised some eyebrows at times as well.
Some of his most impressive work came off the tee, which was surprising since it was assumed his injuries would drain his power.
Golf Channel's Ryan Lavner noted that on the fifth hole, Tiger's ball speed was right where he would need it to be in a traditional round on the PGA Tour:
171-mph ball speed for Tiger on the 5th hole.
Thatās exactly the Tour average ā the same as world No. 2 Collin Morikawa.
Tiger and Charlie parred the next two holes before closing out with a birdie on the par-five 18th, punctuating a strong day for the duo.
The PNC Championship is generally about fun and entertainment more than actual competition, and there is no question that Tiger and Charlie kept golf fans entertained Saturday.
At the same time, Tiger likely provided fans with hope that he will be able to compete again at a high level in the future.
While Tiger has made it clear that he will never be a full-time golfer again, the progress he has made so far in his recovery suggests he could potentially be in the mix at major tournaments in the future.
Tiger Woods on Leg Injury Rehab: 'I'm a Long Way from Playing Tournament Golf'
Dec 17, 2021
Tiger Woods, left, and his son Charlie walk the first fairway during the first round of the PNC Championship golf tournament Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. Woods is back playing after getting injured in a car accident. He is paired with Charlie during the tournament. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Tiger Woods is set to compete at the PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie, but he still isn't healthy enough to play a tournament.
As Woods told reporters Friday, the ability to use carts in this weekend's 36-hole event makes a difference:
I couldnāt walk this golf course even right now, and itās flat. I donāt have the endurance. My leg is not quite right yet and itās going to take time. I told you in the Bahamas, Iām a long way from playing tournament golf. This is hit, hop in a cart and move about my business just like I would at Medalist. Being able to play tournament golf and being able to recover, practice and train and hit balls after a round and do all of the things that I need to be at a high level, Iām a long way away from that.
Each team playing at the upcoming tournament at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida, consists of a former major champion and a family member. Woods and his son finished in a tie for seventh place last December at the event.
In February, Woods was involved in a car crash that required significant surgeries to his right leg and ankle.
Even after months of rehab, he told Henni Koyack of Golf Digest that he will never be a full-time player on the PGA Tour again.
The 45-year-old is still working his way back to the course, competing in Friday's pro-am with mixed results, per ESPN's Bob Harig. It will clearly take more work to get him back to a tour event as he seeks a record 83rd career tournament title.
Justin Thomas' Father on Tiger Woods' Rehab: 'It's Crazy How Good He's Hitting It'
Dec 16, 2021
NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 05: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during the trophy ceremony after the final round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Course on December 05, 2021 in Nassau, . (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Justin Thomas and his father Mike will be paired with Tiger Woods and his son Charlie in the opening round of the PNC Championship on Saturday, and the elder Thomas couldn't help but marvel at Woods' rehab and how well he's playing since recovering from a rollover car accident in February.
"It's crazy how good he's hitting it and how far he's hitting, for what he's been through," Mike Thomas said, per ESPN's Bob Harig.
Saturday's event will be the first competitive golf competition for Woods since he suffered major injuries to his right leg and had a rod, pins and screws inserted into that leg.
Woods has been warming up for this weekend's competition in the meantime:
Tiger Woods, Son Charlie to Play at PNC Championship; 1st Tournament Since Car Crash
Dec 8, 2021
NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 05: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during the trophy ceremony after the final round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Course on December 05, 2021 in Nassau, . (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Tiger Woods will play his first official tournament next week, nearly 10 months to the day of the single-car crash in California that nearly cost him his right leg.
In a statement on Twitter, Woods announced he will play at the PNC Championship starting on Dec. 16 alongside his son, Charlie.
Although itās been a long and challenging year, I am very excited to close it out by competing in the @PNCchampionship with my son Charlie. Iām playing as a Dad and couldnāt be more excited and proud.
Woods was involved in a single car crash on Feb. 23 that required him to undergo surgery to repair "significant orthopaedic injuries" to his lower right leg and ankle.
Speaking to reporters last week leading up to the Hero World Challenge, Woods acknowledged he wants to play on the PGA Tour again even though he doesn't "have any desire" to be a full-time member of the circuit:
I donāt foresee this leg ever being what it used to be, hence Iāll never have the back what it used to be, and the clockās ticking. Iām getting older; Iām not getting any younger. All that combined means that a full schedule and a full practice schedule and the recovery that it would take to do that, no, I donāt have any desire to do that. But to ramp up a few events a year ... thereās no reason that I canāt do that and feel ready.
This will mark the second consecutive appearance at the PNC Championship for the Woods duo. They finished seventh in last year's tournament, but Charlie stole the show with an eagle on the par-five third hole.
The PNC Championship is a good event for Woods to test himself on the course. The 36-hole tournament is played over two days and features two-player teams primarily made up of a father and son, but it can be any family member of the player's choice.
Players are permitted to use carts to get on the course.
In order to be eligible for the event, the player has to have won either one of the four major tournaments or the Players Championship in their career.
The 2021 PNC Championship will take place from Dec. 18-19 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.
Hero World Challenge 2021: Viktor Hovland Comes Back from 6 Strokes Down for Win
Dec 5, 2021
Viktor Hovland, of Norway, holds the championship trophy after the final round of the Hero World Challenge PGA Tour at the Albany Golf Club, in New Providence, Bahamas, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Just call Viktor Hovland the comeback kid.
Facing a six-stroke deficit heading into Sunday's final round at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Hovland shot a sparkling six-under 66 to finish 18 under for the tournament and best Scottie Scheffler (-17) by one stroke.
Scheffler himself shot a 66 on Sunday, while the leader after 54 holes, Collin Morikawa, holed a shocking 76, blowing a five-stroke advantage.
Hovland all but won the tournament in a wild stretch between the 14th and 16th holes, notching back-to-back eagles and a birdie to take a commanding lead.
Bogeys on the 17th and 18th made things more interesting, as Scheffler posted birdies on each of the last four holes. But Hovland had done just enough to earn the victory.
"I didn't think a win was going to be very plausible, but I know this golf course is tricky," Hovland said of his mindset entering the final round. "You can make a lot of birdies and you can make up a lot of ground, but it's very easy to make bogeys and doubles. I knew if I put a good score up there, you never know what's going to happen."
"I didn't think a win was going to be very plausible... You never know what's going to happen."
Even Viktor Hovland wasn't expecting his six-shot comeback win at the Hero World Challenge. pic.twitter.com/K8FhRZYDhX
Indeed, Sunday's final round included more than a few bizarre, unpredictable moments. Hovland's comeback, and Morikawa's collapse, were hardly the biggest surprises.
Perhaps nothing was more odd than Patrick Reed having to switch to a lefty swing not once, but twice, and somehow only dropping a single stroke.
And then there was Jordan Spieth and Henrik Stenson each being penalized two strokes for incorrectly hitting off the wrong tee on No. 9, after the tee locations were changed before the final round.
Jordan Spieth and Henrik Stenson were assessed a 2-shot penalty for playing from the wrong tee box in Sunday's final round. pic.twitter.com/09iXHHNDhJ
Woods, who hosts the Hero World Challenge, did say earlier in the week that he wasn't expecting another comeback like the one he saw four years ago at this tournament, which led to wins at the 2018 Tour Championship, 2019 Masters and 2019 Zozo Championship.
"I don't see that type of trend going forward for me," he said, per the Golf Channel. "I won't have the opportunity to practice given the condition of my leg and build up. I just don't. I'll just have a different way of doing it and that's OK and I'm at peace with that, I've made the climb enough times."
Dylan Dethier of Golf.com did report that Woods was considering a comeback appearance at the PNC Championship with his son Charlie on Dec. 18-19, however. So a Woods return may be in the cards soon, even if it progresses more slowly than past comeback attempts.
Tiger Woods Shown Taking Full Practice Swings on Video at 2021 Hero World Challenge
Dec 2, 2021
Tiger Woods holds his first press conference since his Feb. 23 car crash in Los Angeles at the Hero World Challenge golf tournament in Nassau, Bahamas, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Doug Ferguson)
Before the start of the 2021 Hero World Challenge, Tiger Woods was out on the course taking full practice swings.
The PGA Tour tweeted out video of Woods hitting golf balls from Wednesday night:
Thursday's practice session comes on the heels of Woods tweeting out a video of himself hitting with an iron on Nov. 21 that was captioned "making progress."
There's no indication at this point when Woods might return to play an official PGA Tour event. He is still in the process of recovering from a single-car crash in February that required emergency surgery to repair compound fractures in the tibia and fibula in his right leg.
In a Nov. 29 interview with Dan Rapaport of Golf Digest, Woods said he will "never" be a full-time player on the PGA Tour again.
"I think something that is realistic is playing the tour one dayānever full time, ever againābut pick and choose, just like Mr. [Ben] Hogan did. Pick and choose a few events a year and you play around that," he explained.
Woods is currently in the Bahamas to host the Hero World Challenge. The tournament, which benefits his charity foundation, began on Thursday.
The 45-year-old's last tournament appearance was at the Masters in November 2020. He finished 38th overall.
Tiger Woods Discusses Recovery from Injuries Suffered in Car Crash, Future in Golf
Nov 30, 2021
ARCHIVO - Tiger Woods observa su tiro en el cuarto hoyo durante la Ćŗltima ronda del torneo de golf PNC Championship, el 20 de diciembre de 2020, en Orlando, Florida. (AP Foto/Phelan M. Ebenhack, Archivo)
Speaking publicly for the first time since his February car crash, Tiger Woods addressed a variety of topics about his recovery and future on Tuesday.
Woods, who is in the Bahamas hosting the Hero World Challenge starting on Thursday, told reporters this recovery process "has been much more difficult" for him than in the past when he's had leg surgery.
"The knee stuff, that's one level," he explained. "With the leg, it's hard to explain how difficult this has been. ... It's been a lot of hard work. ... There were some tough times in there."
Woods noted his children have been more familiar with him being injured than playing golf:
My kids have seen me more injured than healthy. Played call of duty when they were at school. Masters was an important binding moment for all of us. Do activities with them now, talk to them and see them grow up. @TigerWoods@WIONews
The 15-time major champion was open about how close he came to losing his leg, or worse, as a result of the crash.
"I'm lucky to be alive and to still have the limb," Woods said. "I'm very grateful that someone upstairs was taking care of me ... (Amputation) was on the table.
Woods added he hasn't decided if he will return to the PGA Tour at some point, noting there's still a long way to go in his rehab.
Woods was involved in a single-car crash in California on Feb. 23.
An official told Dan Mangan of CNBC that Woods "likely survived the single-car crash because the interior of the SUV remained intact."
In a statement released through Woods' official social media on Feb. 24, Dr. Anish Mahajan, chief medical officer and interim CEO at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, said the 45-year-old "suffered significant orthopaedic injuries," including compound fractures to his fibula and tibia in his right leg that had to be stabilized by inserting a rod into the tibia.
Last week, Woods posted a video on Twitter showing him hitting golf balls on a fairway:
During Tuesday's press conference, Woods addressed where things are with his game now that he's been able to get back on the course in some capacity.
To see some of my shots fall out of the sky a lot shorter than they used to is a little eye opening, but at least Iām able to do it again. Thatās something that for a while there didnāt look like I was going to. Iām able to participate in the sport of golf, now, to what level? I do not know. The clockās ticking, Iām not getting any younger.
Woods' last appearance in a PGA Tour event was at the Masters in November 2020. He finished tied for 38th with a score of one-under par.
His last victory was at the 2019 Masters, giving him 15 major titles for his career. Only Jack Nicklaus has more career wins in major tournaments (18) than Woods.
Tiger Woods Says He's Done as Full-Time Golfer After Major Car Crash: 'I Accept It'
Nov 29, 2021
FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2019, file photo, Tiger Woods smiles during the winner's ceremony after winning the Zozo Championship PGA Tour at the Accordia Golf Narashino country club in Inzai, east of Tokyo, Japan. A man who found Woods unconscious in a mangled SUV last week after the golf star who later told sheriff's deputies he did not know how the collision occurred and didn't even remember driving, crashed the vehicle in Southern California, authorities said in court documents. Law enforcement has not previously disclosed that Woods had been unconscious following the collision. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
Tiger Woods' time as a full-time golfer on the PGA Tour is apparently over even as he recovers from serious injuries suffered in a February car crash.
The all-time great revealed as much during an interview with Henni Koyack of Golf Digest:
I think something that is realistic is playing the tour one dayānever full time, ever againābut pick and choose, just like Mr. [Ben] Hogan did. Pick and choose a few events a year and you play around that. You practice around that, and you gear yourself up for that. I think that's how I'm going to have to play it from now on. It's an unfortunate reality, but it's my reality. And I understand it, and I accept it.
Woods, who has also undergone five back surgeries, opened up about the recovery process during the interview.
The 45-year-old said it was "damn near" a 50 percent chance he would lose his right leg to amputation at one point after he suffered open fractures to both the tibia and the fibula as a result of losing control of his car in February.
The 15-time major champion spent three weeks in the hospital and time on a hospital-type bed in his house before eventually progressing to a wheelchair and then crutches.
Earlier this month, he posted video of himself hitting a shot with an iron with the caption "making progress":
Still, he cautioned he is "not even at the halfway point" to a return to the course as he works on regaining his strength and dealing with lingering back concerns from the multiple surgeries as well.
Woods also doesn't feel as if he has to further prove himself any longer and instead is eyeing a return to an occasional tournament:
I don't have to compete and play against the best players in the world to have a great life. After my back fusion, I had to climb Mt. Everest one more time. I had to do it, and I did. This time around, I don't think I'll have the body to climb Mt. Everest, and that's OK. I can still participate in the game of golf. I can still, if my leg gets OK, I can still click off a tournament here or there. But as far as climbing the mountain again and getting all the way to the top, I don't think that's a realistic expectation of me.
There is no doubting Woods' status as one of the greatest golfers in the sport's history.
The storyline was often Tiger versus the field during his prime, and he had a way of dominating the course to the point there was little hope for anyone else if he was dialed in during the Sunday of a major tournament.
In all, Woods has won 82 tournaments and 15 major championships. His 82 PGA Tour victories are tied with Sam Snead for the most in the history of the sport.
While his back surgeries cut into his prime and likely cost him more Tour victories, he was still able to battle back and win his 15th major title and fifth green jacket during an unforgettable Masters in 2019:
While there may not be such a comeback in store this time around, he saidhe is motivated by the possibility of playing alongside his 12-year-old son Charlie and is working his way back to the course.
Even if it won't be full-time.
The Match 5.0 Goes Back to Its Roots and Shows Glimpse of Golf's Future
Nov 27, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 26: Bryson DeChambeau plays his shot on the fifth hole as Brooks Koepka looks on during Capital One's The Match V: Bryson v Brooks at Wynn Golf Course on November 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for The Match)
In the shadow of colossal Las Vegas casinos, on a perfect fall day in the desert, the colossal golfers who don't much care for each other boomed drive after drive for 12 holes.
Well, slightly less. And we'll get to that shortly.
The fifth installment ofĀ Capital One'sĀ The MatchĀ didn't feature football players, former football players or basketball stars. It returned to its original roots, putting two of the biggest stars in golf against each other.
After all, this is howĀ The MatchĀ was born. Before Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or Stephen Curry teed it up, it was Tiger Woods taking on Phil Mickelson for $9 million.
This year, it was Bryson DeChambeau's and Brooks Koepka's turn for the spotlight at the lovely Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas.Ā
Was there drama? That depends on who you root for.Ā
Koepka dominated the latest installment, winning the skins-style event 4&3. He didn't need all 12 holes. In fact, he needed only nine. As DeChambeau scrambled and struggled on and around the greens, Koepka was his normal rock-steady self.
In raising millions more for charity and donating many more meals along the wayāsomething this event has done an extraordinary job of since its inceptionāthe future of the sport was also on display.Ā
It begins with the golfers themselves. Not the feud between the two, although there were glimpses of this. But the physical makeup of two athletes whose statures look more suited for a football field than a clubhouse.Ā
DeChambeau's physical makeover and search for swing speed are well documented. After changing his body and growing his frame to 240-ish pounds, DeChambeau led the PGA Tour in driving distance in 2021 with an average drive of 323.7 yards. It was the second year in a row he led the Tour in driving distance.Ā
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 26: Bryson DeChambeau plays his shot from the 11th tee during a
His swing now looks like that of a professional long driver, and that feels appropriate given recent developments. DeChambeau finished seventh at the Professional Long Drivers Association's World Championship earlier this year, showing just how his game translates.
Koepka might not possess the size or distance as DeChambeau, although he's not far behind. He finished 12th this past season in driving distance (310.7 yards), and his 6'0", 205-pound frame is that of a strong safety.Ā
In Vegas, their size and search for distance were often on display. The long drives weren't always straight, although the movement for extra yards, much like the NBA's movement to three-pointers, is likely to carry forward in 2022 and beyond.
And they don't care much for each other. They've shown their displeasure publicly and on social media. Heck, they've said as much.Ā
While they put aside those differences for the Ryder Cupāand the feud didn't really take shape Fridayāthe animosity was unquestionably one of the stories of the 2021 season.
To be clear, this is a wonderful direction the sport isĀ headed in. Friction is good. Friction sells.Ā
Animosity, as long as it doesn't reach a certain point, adds character to the event.Ā
The PGA Tour doesn't need to become the WWE. But injecting more personality into golfāwhether it's an event of this kind or a majorāis where we're going. DeChambeau and Koepka showed how powerful this can be if toned just right, and it will hopefully become the norm.Ā
Like baseball's attempts to standardize bat flips, golf needs to embrace trash talk.Ā
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 26: Amanda Balionis presents Brooks Koepka (R) with a bracelet after beating Bryson DeChambeau during Capital One's The Match V: Bryson v Brooks at Wynn Golf Course on November 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Be
"This thing is so great for golf," Charles Barkley, who did commentary for the event, said on the broadcast. "You have two of the best players in the world, and people want to call it a rivalry or animosity or whatever, but I think it's just great for the game. Rivalries and animosity are great for the sport, and I am loving it."Ā
The broadcast team was brilliant, which was to be expected. Barkley along with Phil Mickelson, who have plenty of history in this event, were charming and charismatic. They were lighthearted but also informative. They were thoughtful when they needed to be and delivered plenty of laughs along the way.
Like the trash talk, this should also become something networks inject into golf more. It doesn't mean the Masters has to become a stand-up comedy routine. But the looseness and creativity are something the sport, which can take itself too seriously at times, could really use.Ā
It could also use more Mickelson, who could be a star in the booth if he chooses to take that route in the coming years. Given his off-the-course earnings and interest, that part is unknown. But he makes a very complicated game incredibly easy to understand, and he has fun doing it.Ā
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 26: (L-R) Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka attend a press conference during Capital One's The Match V: Bryson v Brooks at Wynn Golf Course on November 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/G
As for Barkley, who spent the better part of the final hour lamenting his failed Nebraska football wager, he brings life to every event he does. That part isn't new.Ā
Speaking of wagering,Ā The MatchĀ has brilliantly embraced what golf has to offer on the gambling front. The regular showcasing of live match odds really brought this event to life. And it's just the start.
As sports betting is legalized in more and more states, no sport is primed to benefit from it more than this one. It's no longer just about who will win a tournament. Every player, every hole and every shot will all be in play.Ā Ā
As Koepka gradually pulled away from DeChambeau, the live odds shifted violently. And even when it became clearĀ DeChambeau wasn't coming back, there was plentyĀ of action to be had.
In time, this will become the norm on broadcasts for actual tournaments. As we've seen other sports slowly embrace odds, golf isn't far behind. AndĀ The MatchĀ showcased a glimpse into the future.Ā
Although it was a blowout,Ā the eventĀ still delivered. The friction never bubbled over, even at the end when Koepka and DeChambeau stood side-by-side. But their faces told the story. So did their play.
Two of the biggest stars in the sport still in the primes of their careers went toe-to-toe. Along the way, we saw a 400-yard drive, precision irons and some spectacular moments (albeit largely one-sided). We saw the golfers with some accompanying pieces that could drastically improve the sport and the way it is presented in the future.
