Question of the Day - 27 January 2019

[Editor's Note: For this answer, we turned to our guy Steve Sharp, author of our upcoming book Win at Sports Betting, who specializes in golf. Here's what he has to say about it.]

A televised golf match in Las Vegas hosted by MGM Resorts? Betting odds posted on each hole? Six-figure side bets encouraged?

This would have sounded completely ludicrous even six months prior to what was called “the Match” between Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods. But this is exactly how it all happened on November 23, 2018. And do you know what the biggest complaint was from viewers? There wasn’t enough betting!

Welcome to the post-PASPA world of professional sports. Even though the Match took place during a four-day holiday weekend filled to the brim with football, sports books embraced the event and offered a myriad of lines. Some went totally nuts and offered Super Bowl-like props, ranging from the number of curse words uttered (the over/under was 21½) and the color of Tiger’s shirt (red was +350) to how many times Tiger would twirl his club after a good shot (O/U 4½).

Aside from all of the silly props, books also posted some meatier options available at high limits. And as I chronicle in my book, linesmakers are often out of their league when entering the golf world. The Match was no exception — another reason for savvy golf bettors to give thanks on this Thanksgiving weekend.

Phil Mickelson won the event on the 22nd hole. Viewer reaction was mixed. Most were more intrigued with the promised side bets between Tiger and Phil than the rather obnoxious $9 million that would go the winner.

During the pre-match hype, Mickelson wagered $100k that he'd birdie the first hole. Tiger quickly doubled the wager to $200k. Both of these guys are notorious high-stakes gamblers (Tiger: blackjack, Phil: sports betting), so wagering ridiculous amounts as the match progressed was certainly possible. But unbeknownst to viewers, the PGA Tour severely limited the amount of side action prior to the match. With $200k wagered on the first hole alone, a total of only $600,000 was wagered the rest of the match, with absolutely nothing risked on the entire back-nine. No fun!

Viewers were also looking forward to the mics the players would wear during the match, expecting a lot of trash-talking and good-natured ribbing, similar to what they experience in their weekend golf matches with their buds. Conversation, however, was strained, in fact almost painful to listen to (“So when did you get into town?”).

The golf was lousy too. The most memorable comment during the five-hour broadcast was from commentator Charles Barkley. “You know, America, you’re watching some really crappy golf.”       

Also, technical glitches allowed viewers to see it free online. Those who forked over $19.99 to watch it on Pay-Per-View were all given refunds. Despite this, Turner Sports proclaimed the event a “huge success” that “exceeded all expectations,” even though the glitches cost them an estimated $10 million. Okaaaaay.

No doubt a rematch will be coming down the pike. Great for golf fans, great for sports bettors, and most importantly, great for Tiger and Phil.