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This year’s The Match will be an interesting watch. For the first time in its history, the event is showcasing a mixed lineup of LPGA and PGA Tour stars. Big names like Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Lexi Thompson, and Rose Zhang will be playing this year. But naturally, some attention will also go towards the kickstarter of this event, Tiger Woods.

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His ongoing rivalry with Phil Mickelson was the reason that gave birth to this charity event. The two of them repeatedly clashed over the years after that. But how many times did Woods emerge victorious? Let’s find out.

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Tiger Woods’s 2:1 ratio at The Match

If you are wondering if Woods has won this charity event or not, The short answer is yes! Out of the three events he played in, he has a track record of two losses and one win. While the scoreboard may not speak in his favor, his presence alone in all three events has brought in massive viewership.

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This charity event was conceived by Hollywood insiders Jack Whigham and Bryan Zuriff. The duo took inspiration from the former PGA Tour unofficial event, The Skins Game. They combined the rivalry among the two best golfers of their time, Woods and Mickelson, into a televised event to draw in fans. 

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The first event, dubbed The Match: Tiger vs. Phil, was televised in November 2018. The two golfers played 18 holes of Matchplay for a prize of $9 million. After an intense showdown, Mickelson emerged victorious. The two golfers returned next year to compete again, but with partners this time.

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Read More: “Fun to Watch”: An Impossible Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson Clash Echoes Among Fans as LIV Golf-PGA Tour Drama Takes New Turns

Tiger Woods paired up with Peyton Manning, and Phil Mickelson teamed up with Tom Brady. The whole game, Brady and Mickelson were in the lead. But showing his golfing prowess, Woods took Manning along in a late comeback to secure the win. This event raised over $20 million for charity.

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What happened after Woods won The Match?

After the two events, Phil Mickelson continued playing for the third. Woods, on the other hand, took his leave from the event. But he did return to compete one more time! This return was an eye-catcher, as it was his first charity televised event since the major crash.

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He paired up with Rory McIlroy to compete against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. While the Woods-McIlroy duo lost to Spieth and Thomas, seeing the legendary golfer play after the major car crash brought in a lot of fans.

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Golf – 150th Open Championship – St Andrews, Scotland, Britain – July 11, 2022, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy of Team Woods and Team Woods’ Tiger Woods of the U.S. during the Celebration of Champions four-hole tournament REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

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They were able to raise about $33 million for charity, with 27 million meals donated via Feeding America. By competing in this event whenever he could, Tiger Woods showed the world that charity comes first over winning.

Are you just as excited to see The Match as us? Let us know in the comment section below!

Read More: Capital One’s ‘The Match’ 2024: Do LPGA & PGA Tour Pros Get Paid in the First Mixed-Gender Edition?

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Ajitesh Rawat

1,222 Articles

Ajitesh Rawat is a WNBA and College Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports, where he leads the outlet’s Strategy Desk. With a research-driven approach and a reader-first mindset shaped during his stint as a Content Analyst, he covers the mechanics of the game with depth and precision. From injury reports and roster depth charts to player trades and transfer portal moves, Ajitesh brings clarity to the decisions that shape outcomes. Known for highlighting under-covered talent across the women’s game, his reporting has also earned him a spot in ES’ Journalistic Excellence Program. Beyond basketball, Ajitesh’s versatility has seen him spearhead LPGA and LIV Golf coverage while contributing to esports and FPS gaming guides, a reflection of his background as both a game developer and digital strategist. That unique blend of technical expertise and editorial instinct allows him to navigate fast-moving sports landscapes while connecting fans to the tactical and cultural undercurrents driving the games they love.

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Riya Singhal

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