Impressive Tiger looks formidable as Brady chips in
TIGER WOODS showed the world there is nothing wrong at all with his game as he impressively starred in the special ‘The Match’ charity event in Florida.
When we last saw Woods three months ago, he was clearly struggling again with his back, but he looked a man reborn here, as he partnered Peyton Manning in a match against Phil Mickelson and Manning’s fellow NFL star Tom Brady that raised $20million for Covid-19 relief funds.
‘How my back feels now is like night and day to how it felt then,’ Woods said on Sunday. And he proved that in striking fashion at Medalist Golf Club, his home course.
The American was unerringly accurate throughout in the rain, hitting fairway after fairway. It was reminiscent of the form he showed when memorably winning his 15th major at the Masters last year.
Woods was clearly in control of his game. If he is like this when tournament golf resumes next month – and indeed when the majors come around later in the year – we could well be in for a treat.
This charity match was, overall, a real success. Millions of viewers watching around the world simply loved seeing these sporting greats delivering hours of fun, at a time when we are still waiting patiently for the real thing to return. In pouring rain at Medalist, social distancing was strictly enforced, with no caddies involved and the players driving their own buggies around the course.
While Woods was brilliant, Mickelson was often more wayward – but typically, his mercurial short game so often changed the situation.
Surprisingly it was Brady who produced the highlight. The NFL legend started awfully but put all that behind him by holing his fourth shot from 110 yards on the par-five seventh. Brady split his trousers in the process. That shot resulted in a charity donation from Brooks Koepka, who pledged $100,000 if Brady made a front-nine par.
Eventually, Woods and Manning won by one hole on the 18th green. Woods said: ‘I take my hat off to Tom and Peyton. This is our arena, this is what we do for a living.
‘I couldn’t imagine going on the field and do what they do.’
Manning said: ‘To be behind the ropes in these guys’ worlds, it was really a special experience. Knowing $20m was raised and helping people going through tough times, it was an honour to be invited. It’s something I’ll always remember.’
How my back feels now is night and day to how it felt back then