Phil Mickelson defeats Tiger Woods, bags $9 million

American Phil Mickelson defeated compatriot Tiger Woods and pocketed nine million dollars (7.9 million euros) at an exhibition called “The Match” Friday in Las Vegas (Nevada).

Mickelson, who had already raised $ 88 million in pay on the professional circuit before that day, won on the 1-up score after the fourth hole in the playoff with a 1.30-meter putt. synonymous with birdie and jackpot.

Mickelson, winner of five Grand Slam titles in his career, has long been in the lead in this match-play duel, where the score is scored in holes and not in shots, but he never managed to to distance Woods.

The former World No. 1, back to the wall, returned to the height of Mickelson by achieving a putt of more than seven meters on the hole N.17, rare shot of a largely disappointing duel.

Both players were equipped with microphones to allow viewers who had to pay 19.99 dollars in the United States, to follow their discussions and bets.

Woods, 42, and Mickelson, 48, also challenged themselves during the competition, with bets offering, for example, a million dollars to those who would close hole N.9 with an eagle, which neither of them has succeeded.

The proceeds of these bets will be donated to charities.

Observers and other PGA Tour racers have criticized the duel between two players who are no longer at their best, even though Woods made a resounding comeback in 2018 after four disastrous years and four backstrokes.