Woods-Mickelson showdown reportedly set for November
LOS ANGELES: The big-money one-on-one showdown between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson is on for November, ESPN reported Thursday.
The US sports broadcaster, citing unnamed sources, said the made-for-TV exhibition that’s been in the works for some months will be held at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas over the US Thanksgiving holiday weekend – either Nov 23 or 24.
Woods said at the British Open in Carnoustie in July that he and Mickelson were “still working” on the details of the contest, originally reported to be an 18-hole “winner-takes-all” showdown worth US$10 million.
ESPN reported Thursday that the exact purse was still being worked out.
“Phil and I are friends and we are always trying to make each other uncomfortable and needle each other,” Woods said, confirming talks for the event were continuing.
Between them, the two Americans have won 19 major championships – Woods with 14 to Mickelson’s five.
Mickelson said at the Players Championship in July that a $10 million prize would be enough to put both players “out of our comfort zone”.
“It’s a ridiculous amount of money,” he said.
At Carnoustie, Masters champion Patrick Reed said it would be even more interesting if the prize money on offer was being put up by the contestants themselves.
“Of course, that is what Patrick would like to see and it would be good of him to put up that money,” a laughing Woods said of that suggestion. — AFP