Match-saving magic from Tiger stuns golfing world
Tiger Woods produced a trademark moment of magic against Phil Mickelson to leave the golfing world in a frenzy.
The two legends of golf finally decided to answer the burning question about who would come out on top in a head-to-head between them.
Woods and Mickelson’s 18-hole matchplay event in Las Vegas has provided golf fans with a heavy dose of entertainment at a time when the golf calendar is usually void.
Mickelson was one-up with only two holes to play when Woods kept himself alive in the contest with a sensational birdie.
The 14-time major winner had to chip after ending up just off the green at the penultimate home.
As he has done so many times in the past, Woods delivered when it mattered most – burying the birdie to level the match with one hole to play.
The superb shot left viewers in a spin on social media.
that chip by Tiger on the 17th was unbelievable! vintage Tiger! down 1 hole and put the pressure on Phil, and now we in the 18th tied up! legendary!
— Johnny Truelove (@BlueMagicAllure) November 24, 2018
What a clutch chip in from Tiger.
— Slim (@WIK2K) November 24, 2018
Tiger walking towards a 9 million dollar chip with his hands in his pockets like he’s going to get coffee. He’s a different type of human.
— Nick (@Nick_Wood5) November 24, 2018
What a chip Tiger!!
Adds the fist pump to let you know its real. #TheMatch— MUFFEDPUNTZ (@MUFFEDPUNTZ) November 24, 2018
That chip in by Tiger tho 😍
— Callum Hope (@Callum12Hope) November 24, 2018
The players couldn’t be separated after 18 holes so the match went into a sudden death format.
With light gradually fading, more drama ensued as 21 holes came and went without a winner decided.
Charles Barkley thinks he can beat both Tiger AND Phil right now 😂
Things are getting interesting at #CapitalOnesTheMatch pic.twitter.com/S89jQ2PU0r
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 23, 2018
However, Woods’ superb reprieve at 17 ended up counting for little as Mickelson finally secured the win on the 22nd hole.
Mickelson birdied the fourth playoff hole to beat Woods in their $9 million made-for-TV match.
The man known as ‘Lefty’ made a 4-foot birdie putt on a specially set up 93-yard, par three hole.
Phil Mickelson gets the win but he says Tiger Woods is still "the best of all time.'
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) November 24, 2018
The match at Shadow Creek Golf Club finished in the dark with lights set up around the hole.
The match went into sudden death after both players birdied the par-5 18th and then parred the first playoff hole.
From there it was all down to the special par-3 extra hole that they kept playing until there was a winner.
Only 700 invited guests were allowed to watch the event billed as golf’s first pay-per-view broadcast.
It was marred by technical difficulties with viewers unable to view it on their televisions after paying $19.95.
Turner and Bleacher Report representatives sent out links on social media allowing people to view it for free on their computers and mobile devices.
A hefty amount of cash from the whopping $9m purse is being donated to each player’s charity, with a series of huge side bets also keeping things interesting between the pair.
With agencies