PGA

While the golf world may not be home to many heated rivalries, fans have been treated to a big one in recent years. Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau have engaged in a public back-and-forth that started in early 2019.

Koepka criticized DeChambeau's slow play, which the 2020 U.S. Open champion took personally.

Was standing on the putting green with Koepka's caddie earlier when an irritated Bryson DeChambeau walked up & told him to tell his boss to make any comment about slow play "to my face". Brooks arrived soon after, got the message & ambled over for a chat with the scientist.

— Eamon Lynch (@eamonlynch) August 11, 2019

The two have exchanged verbal barbs ever since, and while the feud seemed to dissipate following Team USA's win at the 2021 Ryder Cup, both golfers insist that the rivalry is still on.

"Until I get an apology for what he's said and what not, nothing will change," DeChambeau said, per Christopher Powers of Golf Digest. "This is all real on my end."

Koepka said, per Powers: "I've said it like 10 different times. I've never really liked him."

The rivalry will be in sharp focus Friday, with their head-to-head battle representing the fifth installment of Capital One's The Match. Here's a look at the odds for this highly anticipated event, along with a preview, some prop-betting tips and a prediction for Friday's winner.

                      

The Match 5

Who: Bryson DeChambeau vs. Brooks Koepka

Where: Wynn Golf Club, Las Vegas

When: Friday, November 26 at 4 p.m. ET

TV: TNT, TBS, TruTV, HLN

Live Stream: TNTDrama.com and the Bleacher Report App

                 

Match Odds

Bryson DeChambeau -125 ($125 bet to win $100)

Brooks Koepka +105 ($100 bet to win $105)

              

Notable Prop Bets

First to go two points up: DeChambeau -130; Koepka -105

To lead first: Dechambeau -135; Koepka -110

Player to make a hole in one: DeChambeau +6500; Koepka +6500

Either Player to make a hole in one: +3500

Most Par 3 winners: DeChambeau -120; Koepka -110

Most Par 4 winners: DeChambeau -120; Koepka -110

Most Par 5 winners: DeChambeau -125; Koepka -105

                      

Preview and Prediction

This edition of The Match will feature one-on-one match play. DeChambeau and Koepka will compete to shoot the lowest score on each hole, with the winner receiving a point. The golfers will split the point in the event of a tie. Whoever has the most points after 12 holes will be declared the winner.

According to Kevin Cunningham of Golf.com, Koepka is rumored to have requested the 12-hole format instead of a traditional 18-hole round.

"Playing 12 holes is nice. I mean, it's better than playing 18 holes with Bryson," Koepka told Phil Mickelson (h/t Cunningham). "Anything to spend less time him I'm happy to do."

Given the match-play format, this one could be decided after seven holes. However, it's highly unlikely that either golfer will go on an early run to make that happen.

It's even less likely that either player will make a hole in one, so that prop is best avoided. A safer pick is DeChambeau winning the most Par 5s. Both players are capable of long and accurate drives, but DeChambeau is one of the longest drivers in the world. He made the top eight at this year's Professional Long Drivers Association's World Championship. He should thus have a slight edge on longer holes Friday.

However, DeChambeau doesn't have enough of an edge to reliably go up two points at any time in this match. Both competitors are seasoned enough to avoid the sort of mistakes that would lead to a large collapse. The safe bet is that neither golfer goes two up and that this one goes all 12 holes or even into an overtime round.

DeChambeau hasn't played competitively since the Ryder Cup, but Koepka has and has been struggling since September's event. He missed the cut at both the OHL Classic and the Houston Open, and unless he's been playing possum in anticipation of The Match, his game appears to be off.

Not off enough for a blowout, mind you, but expect Koepka to make the one critical error that leads to defeat.

Prediction: DeChambeau wins in 12 holes.

                

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

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Capital One's The Match has become a semi-regular event enjoyed by die-hard and casual golf fans alike. The first iteration came in late 2018 and featured a one-on-one duel between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Subsequent editions have featured a doubles pro-am-style format.

This Friday, The Match is back to a one-versus-one format with a very big twist. Capitalizing on one of the PGA's hottest rivalries, The Match 5 will be a battle between Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.

The feud apparently began in early 2019 when Koepka publicly criticized DeChambeau's slow style of play. Unsurprisingly, the Californian took it personally.

Was standing on the putting green with Koepka's caddie earlier when an irritated Bryson DeChambeau walked up & told him to tell his boss to make any comment about slow play "to my face". Brooks arrived soon after, got the message & ambled over for a chat with the scientist.

— Eamon Lynch (@eamonlynch) August 11, 2019

A public back-and-forth has existed between the two ever since, though the comments have never felt malicious and have oftentimes been quite humorous. The rivalry even made an appearance in The Match 4, where DeChambeau was paired with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

@BKoepka It’s nice to be living rent free in your head!

— Bryson DeChambeau (@brysondech) May 26, 2021

The feud appeared to reach a conclusion at the 2021 Ryder Cup in late September, when the two hugged it out following Team USA's victory.

However, DeChambeau suggested that was staged and the rivalry is still on.

"It was definitely a little forced," he said, per Christopher Powers of Golf Digest. "The team wanted us to do it, and to be honest I was surprised he did it. ...But it definitely felt forced, there wasn't an apology or anything like that. Until I get an apology for what he's said and what not, nothing will change."

There will likely be no apologies on Friday and while The Match may not settle this feud once and for all, it should provide plenty of entertainment for those watching at home.

         

The Match 5

Who: Bryson DeChambeau vs. Brooks Koepka

Where: Wynn Golf Club, Las Vegas

When: Friday, November 26 at 4 p.m. ET

TV and Live Stream: TNT, TBS, TruTV, HLN and TNTDrama.com

Odds: DeChambeau -125, Koepka +105

                  

Format and Other Info

This edition of The Match will feature a 12-hole match-play format. DeChambeau and Koepka will compete to shoot the lowest score on each hole individually. The winner of each hole will receive a point.

The two men will split the point in the event of a tie. Whoever has the most points after 12 holes will be declared the winner. This is similar to the Ryder Cup's match-play format.

While the two will be looking to beat one another, DeChambeau and Koepka will also be competing for charity, per a Warner Media press release:

"Donations made as part of the Nov. 26 event will benefit APGA Tour (Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour) and Feeding America ®, in addition to DeChambeau contributing to Shriner's Hospital and Koepka donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. WarnerMedia and the golfers will tee things off with a charitable donation of 3.75 million meals to Feeding America."

Additionally, The Match will feature several in-play challenges. For example, on the third hole, a $50,000 charitable donation will be made in the name of the player who lands his tee shot closest to the hole.

Challenges will be featured on Holes 3, 6, 7, 9 and 11.

Play-by-Play will be provided by Brian Anderson, and Amanda Balionis will serve as the on-course reporter. Charles Barkley and Mickelson will also be in the broadcast booth.

             

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).

21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN only. In partnership with Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

One hug was not about to end the rivalry between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.

While Koepka and DeChambeau hugged as part of the celebration after helping lead the United States to a Ryder Cup win over Europe, they each said fans shouldn't read too much into it ahead of Capital One's The Match.

"I wouldn't put much on a forced hug," Koepka said, per Christopher Powers of Golf Digest.

"It was definitely a little forced," DeChambeau said. "The team wanted us to do it, and to be honest I was surprised he did it. But I'm a guy that can put things behind me pretty quickly when you apologize and then we can move along. But it definitely felt forced, there wasn't an apology or anything like that. Until I get an apology for what he's said and what not, nothing will change."

It looked like the rivalry may have simmered some at the Ryder Cup considering United States captain Steve Stricker told reporters they wanted to play together even before the hug:

Brooks and Bryson finish the presser by hugging it out in the middle of the room pic.twitter.com/qxOBXjsu7H

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) September 26, 2021

However, DeChambeau said the hatred is "all real on my end," while Koepka added, "I've never really liked him."

The back-and-forth between the players took center stage this year with fans taunting DeChambeau by yelling "Brooksie" at him and Tom Brady tweeting out memes featuring the pair.

It even reached a point where PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said fans who call DeChambeau "Brooksie" may be ejected. DeChambeau confronted a fan who called him that at the BMW Championship, per Kevin Van Valkenburg of ESPN.

They will have a chance to settle their differences Friday during the 12-hole event that will take place at Wynn Golf Course in Las Vegas.

The event will be broadcast live on TNT at 4 p.m. ET with simulcast coverage available on TBS, truTV and HLN.

DeChambeau is familiar with The Match considering he teamed up with Aaron Rodgers and earned a win over Brady and Phil Mickelson in July. He will look to defend his crown in a one-on-one showdown with his rival this time around.         

On Sunday, Tiger Woods posted video of himself swinging a golf club, an encouraging sign for his recovery from leg injuries following a car crash in February.

Making progress pic.twitter.com/sVQkxEHJmq

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 21, 2021

Later on Sunday, Phil Mickelson said he was happy to see Woods getting some swings in again:

As I’m hanging in Montana, it’s great to see Tiger swinging a golf club again. I know he can’t stand me holding a single record so I’m guessing HE wants to be the oldest to ever win a major. I’ll just say this. BRING IT!

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) November 21, 2021

The 45-year-old Woods hasn't played since November 2020 at the Masters.

It's been unclear whether Woods would retire after his car crash or attempt a comeback, though Justin Thomas said earlier in November it would be the latter.

"I know that he's going to try," Thomas said during the No Laying Up podcast. "I don't see him ever playing if he can't play well. He doesn't strike me as a guy who's played at home and he's shooting a bunch of 75s and 76s and he's like, 'OK, I'm gonna give Augusta a try this year.' That's not really gonna be him, at least from my understanding, what I know of him."

Tiger Woods is officially getting back into the swing of things.

The 15-time major champion shared a video of him swinging a club Sunday, the first known video of him on a golf course since his February car accident that led to severe leg injuries.

Making progress pic.twitter.com/sVQkxEHJmq

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 21, 2021

Woods has not played competitive golf since the 2020 Masters Tournament last November. He underwent a fifth back operation in December and then was involved in a one-car accident two months later that led to him suffering compound fractures in both of his legs and other non-life-threatening injuries.

Woods was wearing a compression sock on his right leg in the video, which is meant to stimulate blood flow to the area. 

It's unclear whether Woods will ever play professional golf again, but it appears he's going to give a comeback a shot. 

Golf pro Jordan Spieth and his wife Annie Verret announced the birth of their first child, Sammy Spieth, on Thursday. He was born Nov. 14. 

Sammy Spieth born 11/14 💙
Mama and baby doing great!
Feeling blessed! pic.twitter.com/tV5FZMUGES

— Jordan Spieth (@JordanSpieth) November 18, 2021

The couple kept the pregnancy quiet until the Tour Championship, when a pregnant Verret was seen following Spieth around on the links. 

"We weren't like hiding it or anything like that, it was just more private life," Spieth said to GolfChannel.com in September. "Yeah, very excited. She feels great, that's the No. 1 priority and everything's going smoothly."

The birth of Spieth's son is just another highlight of a successful year for the 28-year-old. He won the Valero Texas Open, was the runner-up at The Open Championship and re-entered the top 10 rankings. He also qualified for his first Tour Championship in four years.

Davis Love III, who is serving as the United States captain for the 2022 Presidents Cup, said that Tiger Woods can have any role he chooses for the tournament.

Love spoke with reporters Tuesday at the RSM Classic, which is set to begin Thursday from Sea Island, Georgia.

"It would have been a great captaincy for Tiger to continue on," Love said, referring to Woods choosing not to continue as U.S. captain after the 2019 Presidents Cup.

"At the time we were discussing it, he said, 'No, I'm playing really good. I'm gonna make the team, and I enjoyed Australia being playing captain, but I want to be a player on the team.'

"So his role is whatever his role wants to be. If Tiger calls me up and says, 'Hey, you're kicked out, I'm taking over'—that's Tiger's role. If he wants to be an assistant, you know ... I would hope that he comes back and starts playing and can make that a goal, to be on the team."

It's unclear whether Woods would be healthy and in form to play in the tournament, which is scheduled for September 2022.

Woods suffered comminuted open fractures to both the tibia and fibula in his right leg in a car crash last February.

He also suffered a concussion,  jaw lacerations, bruised rib cages and a possible right ankle injury, per the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department incident report.

There haven't been any official updates of late regarding Woods' health, although Justin Thomas recently provided a few remarks to the No Laying Up podcast (h/t Golf Channel).

Thomas said Woods was "doing well, especially all things considered."

"It's groundhog day—every day is exactly the same for him. He's able to be a dad again, which is most important," Thomas said.

"He's still his sarcastic a-hole self, so nothing's really changed there. So I'm glad to see he's as chipper as always."

Even if Woods doesn't play, he could serve as an assistant captain to Love, who will look to lead Team USA to victory at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event is scheduled to begin on Sept. 22.

Tying Jack Nicklaus in anything is quite the accomplishment, even for one of the best golfers in PGA history.

Phil Mickelson pulled even with the Golden Bear as the only players to win four of their first six starts on the 50-and-over tour when he captured the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday, per John Marshall of the Associated Press.

Lefty shot a six-under 65 at Phoenix Country Club in the final round to clinch another PGA Tour Champions trophy.

He wasn't the only one who impressed, as Bernhard Langer won the PGA Tour Champions season points title for the sixth time in his career.

Yet it was Mickelson who stole the show in the final round and added another line on his illustrious resume that includes six major titles and 45 PGA Tour victories.

While Tiger Woods hasn't publicly addressed when he might return to the PGA Tour, at least one of his friends on the circuit has an idea of what it would take to get the 15-time major champion back on the fairways. 

Appearing on the No Laying Up podcast (h/t ESPN's Bob Harig), Justin Thomas said he can't see Woods ever playing again if he's unable to return to a decent standard 

"I don't see him ever playing if he can't play well," Thomas explained. "He doesn't strike me as a guy who's played at home and he's shooting a bunch of 75s and 76s and he's like 'OK, I'm gonna give Augusta a try this year.' That's not really gonna be him, at least from my understanding, what I know of him."

Woods was involved in a single-car accident on Feb. 23 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. He announced on Twitter that he had to undergo "a long surgical procedure" to repair the damage in his right leg, including a compound fracture to his tibia and a fractured fibula. 

Last month, TMZ Sports reported Woods was seen walking without crutches or a limp at a junior golf tournament in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he was watching his son, Charlie, play. 

Per Steve Helling and Lindsay Kimble of PEOPLE Magazine, Woods has "made a remarkable recovery in the past few months" and it's been "even more significant lately."

Helling and Kimble noted that Woods has "a timeframe in his head" when he wants to return, but he's not making it public.

Woods' last appearance in a PGA Tour event was at the Masters in November 2020. He finished 38th in the tournament. 

The 2021-22 PGA Tour schedule began in September. Woods annually hosts the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, which will be played from Dec. 2-5. He has played in the tournament each of the last three years that it has been held.    

For the first time in his career, Lucas Herbert is a winner on the PGA Tour. 

The 25-year-old won the Butterfield Bermuda Championship on Sunday, shooting a two-under 69 in the final round to finish 15 under for the tournament. 

Windy conditions.
72nd hole.
Leads by 1.
Trying to win for the first time.@LHGolf5 delivers under pressure. pic.twitter.com/rZl4venQuZ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 31, 2021

Lucas Herbert gets it done @Bermuda_Champ.@LHGolf5 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Y1chRRk3fz

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 31, 2021

He bested Patrick Reed and Danny Lee by just one stroke, with Patrick Rodgers (-13), Scott Stallings (-12) and Taylor Pendrith (-12) rounding out the top five.

Herbert finished his day with four birdies and two bogeys, holding off a furious push from Reed, who shot six under Sunday. He birdied four of the last six holes to put the squeeze on Herbert. 

After the round, Reed focused on the positives from the tournament, his best showing since battling bilateral pneumonia in September.

"Ever since I got back from being sick it just seemed like the offense wasn’t quite there, I wasn't making enough birdies and when that happens one little swing here or there turns a round you want to salvage into a mediocre round," he told reporters. "This week I had plenty of offense, just needed to take away a few careless errors."

And Herbert—who had an average driving distance of 289.5 yards, a 64.3 percent driving accuracy, hit 55.6 percent of greens in regulation and gained 1.6 strokes putting, per PGATour.com—had just enough answers to keep Reed at bay.

Battling the elements.

The lead now belongs to @LHGolf5. pic.twitter.com/kCTIoedxLq

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 31, 2021

Rolling his way into the lead.@LHGolf5 leads by 1 @Bermuda_Champ. pic.twitter.com/vO5UJZaIJM

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 31, 2021

It wasn't an easy day for golf at the Port Royal Golf Club in Southampton, Bermuda, with high winds and occasional rain. Weather pushed the tee times to earlier in the morning, but the conditions didn't do the players many favors. 

"I love playing when it's really hard," Herbert said on the Golf Channel broadcast after the round. "I think it makes you be that little bit better, and it eliminates the guys who maybe aren't as good who are hitting shots that don't get affected by wind or rain as much. I just enjoyed the struggle out there today. There were times where we were nearly sitting on the ground behind an umbrella—and just embracing that was so much fun."

Pendrith, who started the day four strokes ahead of Herbert and the 54-hole leader, did not enjoy the struggle. He had a rough go of it, shooting five over for the day. 

Third straight bogey for Taylor Pendrith.

He started the day with a 3 shot lead. He's now 1 back. pic.twitter.com/UwNp5a5cyY

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 31, 2021

Still, the PGA Tour rookie tried to focus on the bright spots from the tournament, not the rough finish.

"Lots of positives," he told reporters. "Obviously it's my best finish out here [on the PGA Tour]. It was a tough Sunday, which I guess I'll learn a lot from that, but to have a good week was great."