The first full-field event of the year takes place this week at the 2023 Sony Open. After kicking off its calendar season with a thrilling limited field event in the Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour stays in Hawaii with some players making the short trip from Maui to Honolulu.

In fact, 19 of the 39 players that participated last week at the Plantation Course at Kapalua will tee it up in the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club. Since the inception of the Tournament of Champions, 17 of 24 winners at the Sony Open had competed the week prior. This will be music to the ears of many big names, including world No. 14 Jordan Spieth, young South Korean stars Sungjae Im and Tom Kim, and defending champion Hideki Matsuyama.

Much like last week’s Tournament of Champions, last year’s Sony Open witnessed a dramatic come-from-behind victory. Entering the final nine holes five strokes off the pace of Russell Henley, Matsuyama pulled off the impossible, catching Henley and ultimately prevailing in a playoff.

Henley will look to exact revenge fresh off a win at the World Wide Technology Championship during the fall swing. He is joined by fellow Georgia Bulldogs Brian Harman, Keith Mitchell, Harris English, Chris Kirk, Brendon Todd, Davis Thompson and Greyson Sigg in the field — and all of whom have their fair share to celebrate following their alma mater’s victory in the College Football National Championship.

All times Eastern; streaming start times approximated

Round 1 – Thursday

Round starts: 12 p.m.

PGA Tour Live: 12 – 10:30 p.m. — PGA Tour Live

Live TV coverage: 7 – 10:30 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live streaming: 7 – 10:30 p.m. on Peacock

Radio: 5 – 10:30 p.m. — PGA Tour Radio

Round 2 – Friday

Round starts: 12 p.m.

PGA Tour Live: 12 – 10:30 p.m. — PGA Tour Live

Live TV coverage: 7 – 10:30 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live streaming: 7 – 10:30 p.m. on Peacock

Radio: 5 – 10:30 p.m. — PGA Tour Radio

Round 3 – Saturday

Round starts: 12:45 p.m.

PGA Tour Live: 12:45 – 8 p.m. — PGA Tour Live

Early TV coverage: 4-6 p.m. on NBC
Early streaming: 4-6 p.m. on Peacock

Live TV coverage: 6-8 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live streaming: 6-8 p.m. on Peacock

Round 4 – Sunday

Round starts: 12:45 p.m.

PGA Tour Live: 12:45 – 8 p.m. — PGA Tour Live

Early TV coverage: 4-6 p.m. on NBC
Early streaming: 4-6 p.m. on Peacock

Live TV coverage: 6-8 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live streaming: 6-8 p.m. on Peacock

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Eight of the top 10 (and 17 of the top 20) players in the world begin the new year this week at the 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions. Welcoming the winners from a season ago and those who qualified for the Tour Championship, the Plantation Course at Kapalua will play the role of host for the 25th time.

Featuring vast elevation changes, fairways wider than some canyons and the largest greens on the PGA Tour, the pineapple plantation-turned-golf course will once again take center stage. Tucked away high up in the mountains of Maui, Hawaii, players will be forced to keep their foot on the gas as a birdie fest is all but likely to take place.

Last season’s event saw record scoring as the windy conditions that typically protect the par 73 were nowhere to be found. With the winning score falling on 34 under, Cameron Smith was able to edge out then-world No. 1 Jon Rahm by a single stroke. Neither Smith nor the current world No. 1 Rory McIlroy will be in action this week, leaving the door open for another elite player to kick off their year in fashion.

Scottie Scheffler can return to world No. 1 with a solo third place finish or better. Rahm looks to exact revenge from last season. Tony Finau aims to nab his fourth victory in his last eight starts. All these storylines and more have the potential to play out in the first PGA Tour event of 2023.

All times Eastern; streaming start times approximated

Round 1 – Thursday

Round starts: 2:30 p.m.

PGA Tour Live: 2:15 – 10 p.m. — PGA Tour Live

Live TV coverage: 6-10 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live streaming: 6-10 p.m. on Peacock

Radio: 4-10 p.m. — PGA Tour Radio

Round 2 – Friday

Round starts: 2:30 p.m.

PGA Tour Live: 2:30 – 10 p.m. — PGA Tour Live

Live TV coverage: 6-10 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live streaming: 6-10 p.m. on Peacock

Radio: 4-10 p.m. — PGA Tour Radio

Round 3 – Saturday

Round starts: 12:45 p.m.

PGA Tour Live: 12:45 – 8 p.m. — PGA Tour Live

Early TV coverage: 4-6 p.m. on NBC
Early streaming: 4-6 p.m. on Peacock

Live TV coverage: 6-8 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live streaming: 6-8 p.m. on Peacock

Radio: 3-8 p.m. — PGA Tour Radio

Round 4 – Sunday

Round starts: 12:45 p.m.

PGA Tour Live: 12:45 – 8 p.m. — PGA Tour Live

Early TV coverage: 4-6 p.m. on NBC
Early streaming: 4-6 p.m. on Peacock

Live TV coverage: 6-8 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live streaming: 6-8 p.m. on Peacock

Radio: 3-8 p.m. — PGA Tour Radio

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Watching golf videos can be a great way for visual learners to pick up some skills. YouTube golf instructors help players that are needing some golf drills and instructional videos but don’t have a local golf coach to work with.

I watch a lot of YouTube golf instructors when I’m struggling with something in particular, especially the short game. It’s interesting to get some different opinions and try out new swing techniques.

Here are my top 11 best YouTube golf instructions.

1. Danny Maude

Danny Maude is a very smart golf instructor that helps golfers understand the science and reasoning behind why they struggle on the golf course. Maude worked to learn more about the game by studying neuroscience, psychology, and motor learning.

At one point, he felt he was a struggling golfer and eventually completely turned his game around using these methods; now, he shares them with golfers across the world.

Golfers that listen to and subscribe to the videos from Danny Maude will realize that quick fixes are not going to make you an incredible player. Instead, it takes time and patience to see the scores start to drop.

There is plenty of information here to help you succeed.

• Areas of expertise: Full Swing, Working With Average Golfers
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 872K
• Link to channel

2. Rick Shiels

Rick Shiels is certainly one of the most well known golf personalities on YouTube. However, not all of his content is going to be instructional. The reason I like the Rick Shiels videos is that you can learn a lot about the game of golf.

When you watch his game improve and you see the contests and challenges he does, there is a lot to learn. His equipment reviews are also helpful and ensure you end up with equipment that is fit for your golf game.

There is a bit of comedy and entertainment here, but plenty of great advice for the golfers that need it.

• Areas of expertise: Entertainment and Golf Instruction
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 2.43M
• Link to channel

3. Mr.Short Game Golf

Mr.Short Game is a great YouTube channel that started with a focus on the short game and expanded from there. The videos are clear and easy to follow, and he makes the information easy to understand for any level of player.

Although the channel has a ton of chipping and putting content, there is plenty about proper iron striking and gaining more power in your drives. Like a lot of these other channels, there is also some entertainment content and contests here, but the instruction videos are sound.

• Areas of expertise: Short Game and Full Swing
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 359K
• Link to channel

4. Clay Ballard (Top Speed Golf)

Clay Ballard has a Top Speed Golf program that can help players that are looking to make major moves in their game. However, in addition to this content, he offers a ton of instructional videos that make the game of golf considerably easier to understand.

When watching Clay’s videos, I have learned to really enjoy how matter of fact, he is about the moves in the golf swing. In addition, he doesn’t necessarily teach just one golf swing; he helps players adapt to the skills they already have and become better.

• Areas of expertise: Full Swing
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 636K
• Link to channel

5. Jim Venetos

Jim Venetos has an online golf instructional platform that you can subscribe to and learn the game. However, there are some videos available for free on YouTube. The videos are all very similar, and Venetos shares his vast knowledge of the game.

If you find that you want more individualized attention, you can join the golf academy and get quite a bit of information and even upload videos of your own golf swing.

• Areas of expertise: Full Swing
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 37K
• Link to channel

6. Peter Finch Golf

The Peter Finch golf channel is a large YouTube golf instructional, equipment, and tip channel. There are plenty of golf drills to help you become a better player, but also a lot of information about clubs, professionals, and golf courses.

Similar to the Rick Shiels videos, there is quite a bit of entertainment here, and he uploads videos often. I like Peter Finch’s honest information about equipment.

• Areas of expertise: Golf Equipment, Golf Instruction
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 515K
• Link to channel

7. Me and My Golf

Me and My Golf is a golf channel for any golf geek out there. If you are interested in golf fitness, biomechanics, and education, you can really take your game to the next level. The PGA Golf Professionals who host these videos are Andy Proudman and Piers Ward.

The duo is very interesting to listen to, and they know a lot about the game of golf. Every Monday, they try to release a new video so that you have a constant flow of great content.

• Areas of expertise: Golf Training and Instruction
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 873K
• Link to channel

8. Adam Bazzelgette (Scratch Golf Academy)

The Scratch Golf Academy is where you can learn the game from Adam Bazalgette. He is a head golf professional with over 30 years of experience in the PGA of America.

In addition, Adam has coached many tour professionals and been on the Golf Channel.

If you sign up for this academy, there are even more video training and tips for you to work on. I like the way these are broken down, and the quality of the information is good. You can watch a video or two, head to the range, and notice real changes in your game.

• Areas of expertise: All Areas of The Game
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 454K
• Link to channel

9. Performance Golf Zone

Performance Golf Zone is a channel that brings together the wisdom of many different golf instructors and allows you a place to go to get the best information you can about your game.

Sometimes I get bored with just one golf instructor; having the information from several different professionals often makes me feel as though something finally clicks and my game starts making the necessary changes.

• Areas of expertise: Full Swing and Short Game
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 83K
• Link to channel

10. Steve Johnston PGA

Steve Johnston is a PGA Golf Professional that works on simplifying the movements in a golfer’s swing. He takes information and breaks it down, and shows you exactly what you need to do to improve.

Johnston offers free instruction on all areas of the game. He is well-spoken, and his videos are entertaining and fast-moving. I like videos that move long without feeling like the instruction is just repeating themselves.

Although his popularity may not be the best, for beginners and even great players, this is some really sound golf advice.

• Areas of expertise: Golf Instruction, Simplifying the Game
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 84K
• Link to channel

11. Russell Heritage

Russell Heritage is a golf instructor that offers free golf tips, lessons, and equipment reviews. What I like about Russell Heritage is that he’s not as concerned with entertainment as he is with the fact.

The videos have very good content and advice, and many of the golf drills and information that I got from these videos I have been able to implement on the golf course. If you consider yourself more of an old-school golfer that wants just the fact delivered cleanly and professionally, this is your guy.

• Areas of expertise: Golf Swing, Golf Science, Low Handicappers
• Number of YouTube Subscribers: 157K
• Link to channel

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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Don’t look now, but Tiger Woods is back in action this weekend as he and his son, Charlie, will headline the action at the 2022 PNC Championship. Playing in this two-person scramble for the third consecutive year, the Woods duo is joined by previous winners in Justin Thomas and his father, John Daly and his son, John Daly Jr. Also competing are Hall of Famers, including Annika Sorenstam, Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino and Bernhard Langer, alongside their respective family members.

LPGA superstar and former world No. 1 Nelly Korda is set to compete for the second straight year with her father, and making his PNC Championship debut is another former world No. 1 in Jordan Spieth. Playing for the first time with his father, Spieth will look to carry the momentum from his victory with Thomas at The Match 7 into a successful showing at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club. 

Major champions Stewart Cink, Vijay Singh, Justin Leonard, Padraig Harrington and many more round out the action in what should be a fun-filled weekend in Florida. While a laidback family outing at its very core, the PNC Championship is still an opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world — past, present and possibly future — hone in on their craft before the calendar flips to the new year.

Here’s how you can watch this weekend.

All times are Eastern

Round 2 — Sunday

Round starts: 10:05 a.m.

Early coverage: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Peacock

Early TV coverage: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. on Golf Channel & Peacock

Live TV coverage: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. on NBC & Peacock

Event information

Event: PNC Championship | Dates: Dec. 17-18
Location: Ritz-Carlton Golf Club — Orlando, Florida
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,106 | Purse: $1.09 million
Format: Two-person scramble

What is this event?

Formerly known as the Father/Son Challenge, this tournament has since rebranded to the PNC Championship. Having been played for nearly three decades, it has often been a way for major championship and Players Championship winners to team up with a family member of his choosing.

Only recently expanding on the field criteria, it has been a solid modification as Sorenstam and Korda have since joined in on the fun. With the influx of young talent like Daly Jr., who plays on the Arkansas men’s golf team, and Charlie Woods, who impresses in each appearance, the quality of golf, laughs and overall competition has ramped up.

What is the format?

Only 36 holes will be played as teams join forces in the scramble format. Like the format played in charity tournaments, each member of the team will tee off — from varying tees based on age — and select the best drive. This process is repeated with every shot until the ball is holed. There has been a story circulating of a team shooting 46 (!!!) at a scramble event, but I wouldn’t expect scores to be that low; instead, they should be in the neighborhood of low 60s of high 50s.

Has Tiger won this tournament before?

In short, no. However, last year he and Charlie came awfully close to chasing down the Dalys on the final day. At one point, the pair rattled off 11 straight birdies. Signing for rounds of 62-57, the Woods family came up two strokes short of claiming victory at 25 under. That will surely be on Charlie’s mind. Now 13, he is beginning to hit his growth spurt and will serve as a key component for Team Woods.

Who is in the field?

• Stewart Cink and Connor Cink
• John Daly and John Daly II
• David Duval and Brady Duval
• Nick Faldo and Matthew Faldo
• Jim Furyk and Tanner Furyk
• Padraig Harrington and Patrick Harrington
• Nelly Korda and Petr Korda
• Matt Kuchar and Carson Kuchar
• Bernhard Langer and Jason Langer
• Tom Lehman and Sean Lehman
• Justin Leonard and Luke Leonard
• Mark O’Meara and Shaun O’Meara
• Gary Player and Jordan Player
• Nick Price and Greg Price
• Vijay Singh and Qass Singh
• Annika Sorenstam and Will McGee
• Jordan Spieth and Shawn Spieth
• Justin Thomas and Mike Thomas
• Lee Trevino and Daniel Trevino
• Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods

What should we expect from Tiger?

This very well could be the last time we see Tiger in competition until February — if not April — for the 2023 Masters. With 36 holes guaranteed and utilizing a golf cart due to his leg and plantar fasciitis in his right foot, I expect to see some moments of vintage Tiger. Carving irons and hitting delicate pitches and chips — those are the moments to soak in as gone are the days of lashing at the driver and running in putts.

He showed some rust last week in The Match 7, but also signs that his game is close with a few filthy iron shots. Still, it remains a family-oriented event and Tiger will be insistent on using most of Charlie’s shots from tee to green while he looks on and takes in the sights and the sounds of a couple rounds with his son.

Picks and prediction

Team Thomas is the favorite at +275 and rightfully so. Justin looked terrific in The Match 7, carrying his team to victory, and his father Mike has been a PGA Professional for nearly 40 years. They won this event two years ago and came close to defending despite Mike experiencing some health issues at the time.

They are followed by Team Spieth at +450 and Team Woods at +500. In an event that could go a number of ways, I am unsure if I am comfortable backing Spieth and his father — whose game I have the faintest clue about — but Team Woods is intriguing. Their price is half of what it was a year ago and Charlie looks to have only gotten better. 

I’ll go with the homer pick at the top of the odds board with the Woods and Team Harrington a bit lower at +3300 as a sleeper. Padraig has been playing some fantastic golf on the PGA Tour Champions circuit and signed for a 10-under 62 alongside his son in the final round last year, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they find themselves in the mix.

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Don’t look now, but Tiger Woods is back in action this weekend as he and his son, Charlie, will headline the action at the 2022 PNC Championship. Playing in this two-person scramble for the third consecutive year, the Woods duo is joined by previous winners in Justin Thomas and his father, John Daly and his son, John Daly Jr. Also competing are Hall of Famers, including Annika Sorenstam, Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino and Bernhard Langer, alongside their respective family members.

LPGA superstar and former world No. 1 Nelly Korda is set to compete for the second straight year with her father, and making his PNC Championship debut is another former world No. 1 in Jordan Spieth. Playing for the first time with his father, Spieth will look to carry the momentum from his victory with Thomas at The Match 7 into a successful showing at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club. 

Major champions Stewart Cink, Vijay Singh, Justin Leonard, Padraig Harrington and many more round out the action in what should be a fun-filled weekend in Florida. While a laidback family outing at its very core, the PNC Championship is still an opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world — past, present and possibly future — hone in on their craft before the calendar flips to the new year.

Here’s how you can watch this weekend.

All times are Eastern

Round 1 — Saturday

Round starts: 10:05 a.m.

Early coverage: 1-2 p.m. on Peacock

Live TV coverage: 2-6 p.m. on NBC & Peacock

Round 2 — Sunday

Round starts: 10:05 a.m.

Early coverage: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Peacock

Early TV coverage: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. on Golf Channel & Peacock

Live TV coverage: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. on NBC & Peacock

Event information

Event: PNC Championship | Dates: Dec. 17-18
Location: Ritz-Carlton Golf Club — Orlando, Florida
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,106 | Purse: $1.09 million
Format: Two-person scramble

What is this event?

Formerly known as the Father/Son Challenge, this tournament has since rebranded to the PNC Championship. Having been played for nearly three decades, it has often been a way for major championship and Players Championship winners to team up with a family member of his choosing.

Only recently expanding on the field criteria, it has been a solid modification as Sorenstam and Korda have since joined in on the fun. With the influx of young talent like Daly Jr., who plays on the Arkansas men’s golf team, and Charlie Woods, who impresses in each appearance, the quality of golf, laughs and overall competition has ramped up.

What is the format?

Only 36 holes will be played as teams join forces in the scramble format. Like the format played in charity tournaments, each member of the team will tee off — from varying tees based on age — and select the best drive. This process is repeated with every shot until the ball is holed. There has been a story circulating of a team shooting 46 (!!!) at a scramble event, but I wouldn’t expect scores to be that low; instead, they should be in the neighborhood of low 60s of high 50s.

Has Tiger won this tournament before?

In short, no. However, last year he and Charlie came awfully close to chasing down the Dalys on the final day. At one point, the pair rattled off 11 straight birdies. Signing for rounds of 62-57, the Woods family came up two strokes short of claiming victory at 25 under. That will surely be on Charlie’s mind. Now 13, he is beginning to hit his growth spurt and will serve as a key component for Team Woods.

Who is in the field?

• Stewart Cink and Connor Cink
• John Daly and John Daly II
• David Duval and Brady Duval
• Nick Faldo and Matthew Faldo
• Jim Furyk and Tanner Furyk
• Padraig Harrington and Patrick Harrington
• Nelly Korda and Petr Korda
• Matt Kuchar and Carson Kuchar
• Bernhard Langer and Jason Langer
• Tom Lehman and Sean Lehman
• Justin Leonard and Luke Leonard
• Mark O’Meara and Shaun O’Meara
• Gary Player and Jordan Player
• Nick Price and Greg Price
• Vijay Singh and Qass Singh
• Annika Sorenstam and Will McGee
• Jordan Spieth and Shawn Spieth
• Justin Thomas and Mike Thomas
• Lee Trevino and Daniel Trevino
• Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods

What should we expect from Tiger?

This very well could be the last time we see Tiger in competition until February — if not April — for the 2023 Masters. With 36 holes guaranteed and utilizing a golf cart due to his leg and plantar fasciitis in his right foot, I expect to see some moments of vintage Tiger. Carving irons and hitting delicate pitches and chips — those are the moments to soak in as gone are the days of lashing at the driver and running in putts.

He showed some rust last week in The Match 7, but also signs that his game is close with a few filthy iron shots. Still, it remains a family-oriented event and Tiger will be insistent on using most of Charlie’s shots from tee to green while he looks on and takes in the sights and the sounds of a couple rounds with his son.

Picks and prediction

Team Thomas is the favorite at +275 and rightfully so. Justin looked terrific in The Match 7, carrying his team to victory, and his father Mike has been a PGA Professional for nearly 40 years. They won this event two years ago and came close to defending despite Mike experiencing some health issues at the time.

They are followed by Team Spieth at +450 and Team Woods at +500. In an event that could go a number of ways, I am unsure if I am comfortable backing Spieth and his father — whose game I have the faintest clue about — but Team Woods is intriguing. Their price is half of what it was a year ago and Charlie looks to have only gotten better. 

I’ll go with the homer pick at the top of the odds board with the Woods and Team Harrington a bit lower at +3300 as a sleeper. Padraig has been playing some fantastic golf on the PGA Tour Champions circuit and signed for a 10-under 62 alongside his son in the final round last year, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they find themselves in the mix.

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Bromance will be strong in the seventh edition of The Match. Featuring 15-time major champion Tiger Woods alongside his business partner and good friend Rory McIlroy squaring off with the all-American duo of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, the charity golf exhibition welcomes four major champions to Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, on Saturday. 

Woods and McIlroy possess 19 major championships between the two, while Spieth and Thomas lag behind with a measly five. While both pairs are experienced, only Woods has previously participated in The Match. Playing in the inaugural competition, Woods fell to Phil Mickelson in extra holes before exacting revenge over Mickelson and Tom Brady alongside Peyton Manning in the second edition of the event.

The 46-year-old may know what to expect from the competition, but perhaps not from his own game. Not seen in competition since The 150th Open, Woods was expected to play in the 2022 Hero World Challenge before being forced to withdraw due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. 

“I like playing, I like competing, but unfortunately, I can hit the golf ball and hit whatever shot you want, I just can’t walk,” said Woods at the onset of his event in The Bahamas.

Fortunately for Woods, all competitors will use golf carts, and he happens to be paired with the best player in the game in world No. 1 McIlroy. The Northern Irishman is fresh off winning the DP World Tour Championship, capturing the European crown in conjunction with his FedEx Cup title from this past summer. McIlroy may be in the best form of the four players, but doubting Spieth and Thomas in a team competition has proven to be unwise in the past.

Garnering a 4-0-0 record with each other at the 2022 Presidents Cup, Spieth and Thomas were unstoppable at Quail Hollow Club in September. They are 16-7-1 when paired together between the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup, and should give Woods and McIlroy all they can handle over the course of a 12-hole best ball match.

LIVE updates: Follow along with all the action from The Match at this link here. 

The Match 7

Viewing information

Date: Saturday, Dec 10 | Time 7 p.m. ET 
Location: Pelican Golf Club — Belleair, Florida
Broadcast: TNT | Simulcast: TBS, truTV, HLN

Format

The Match will be contested under 12 holes of match play and best-ball format. Each player will play his own ball, and the best individual score from each team will count for the hole. 

Teams

Tiger Woods & Rory McIlroy: They played in an exhibition at Big Cedar Lodge following the 2020 U.S. Open, but outside of that and practice rounds, the two do not have any experience alongside each other in the team setting. Woods is the major question mark among the four players, but any concerns may be squashed given his playing partner. McIlroy is playing some of the best golf of his career, and Woods has alway been known as someone to underdeliver to the media and overdeliver on the golf course. Perhaps this will be one of those instances as well.

Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas: Thomas finished the Hero World Challenge on a high note to grab a solo fifth-place result, while Spieth nearly brought up the rear for the second straight year. These two can ham-and-egg it with the best of them and know each other’s game maybe better than their own. With a history of performing at their peak alongside each other, it is no surprise they are listed as the favorites in this one. However, if Tiger and Rory are smart (which they are), they won’t be giving these two too many gimmes — much to the dismay of Thomas — as short putts have been a thorn in both of their sides.

Rick Gehman, Kyle Porter and Patrick McDonald preview The Match featuring Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy vs Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.  Follow & listen to The First Cut on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Picks, odds

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

Spieth/Thomas: -125 | Woods/McIlroy: +105

There has been significant movement in this line since opening. Woods and McIlroy were actually -120 favorites at one point, but have since drifted to plus money as the underdogs. Spieth and Thomas should hypothetically roll, however, these charity events have seen some surprises with the best putters tending to win. That isn’t the strength of Thomas, and surely not Spieth, which makes me believe the current form of McIlroy combined with a sprinkle of Woods magic will be enough to see them come out on top. Pick: Woods/McIlroy +105

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Bromance will be strong in the seventh edition of The Match. Featuring 15-time major champion Tiger Woods alongside his business partner and good friend Rory McIlroy squaring off with the all-American duo of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, the charity golf exhibition welcomes four major champions to Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, on Saturday. 

Woods and McIlroy possess 19 major championships between the two, while Spieth and Thomas lag behind with a measly five. While both pairs are experienced, only Woods has previously participated in The Match. Playing in the inaugural competition, Woods fell to Phil Mickelson in extra holes before exacting revenge over Mickelson and Tom Brady alongside Peyton Manning in the second edition of the event.

The 46-year-old may know what to expect from the competition, but perhaps not from his own game. Not seen in competition since The 150th Open, Woods was expected to play in the 2022 Hero World Challenge before being forced to withdraw due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. 

“I like playing, I like competing, but unfortunately, I can hit the golf ball and hit whatever shot you want, I just can’t walk,” said Woods at the onset of his event in The Bahamas.

Fortunately for Woods, all competitors will use golf carts, and he happens to be paired with the best player in the game in world No. 1 McIlroy. The Northern Irishman is fresh off winning the DP World Tour Championship, capturing the European crown in conjunction with his FedEx Cup title from this past summer. McIlroy may be in the best form of the four players, but doubting Spieth and Thomas in a team competition has proven to be unwise in the past.

Garnering a 4-0-0 record with each other at the 2022 Presidents Cup, Spieth and Thomas were unstoppable at Quail Hollow Club in September. They are 16-7-1 when paired together between the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup, and should give Woods and McIlroy all they can handle over the course of a 12-hole best ball match.

The Match 7

Viewing information

Date: Saturday, Dec 10 | Time 7 p.m. ET 
Location: Pelican Golf Club — Belleair, Florida
Broadcast: TNT | Simulcast: TBS, truTV, HLN

Format

The Match will be contested under 12 holes of match play and best-ball format. Each player will play his own ball, and the best individual score from each team will count for the hole. 

Teams

Tiger Woods & Rory McIlroy: They played in an exhibition at Big Cedar Lodge following the 2020 U.S. Open, but outside of that and practice rounds, the two do not have any experience alongside each other in the team setting. Woods is the major question mark among the four players, but any concerns may be squashed given his playing partner. McIlroy is playing some of the best golf of his career, and Woods has alway been known as someone to underdeliver to the media and overdeliver on the golf course. Perhaps this will be one of those instances as well.

Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas: Thomas finished the Hero World Challenge on a high note to grab a solo fifth-place result, while Spieth nearly brought up the rear for the second straight year. These two can ham-and-egg it with the best of them and know each other’s game maybe better than their own. With a history of performing at their peak alongside each other, it is no surprise they are listed as the favorites in this one. However, if Tiger and Rory are smart (which they are), they won’t be giving these two too many gimmes — much to the dismay of Thomas — as short putts have been a thorn in both of their sides.

Rick Gehman, Kyle Porter and Patrick McDonald preview The Match featuring Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy vs Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.  Follow & listen to The First Cut on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Picks, odds

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

Spieth/Thomas: -125 | Woods/McIlroy: +105

There has been significant movement in this line since opening. Woods and McIlroy were actually -120 favorites at one point, but have since drifted to plus money as the underdogs. Spieth and Thomas should hypothetically roll, however, these charity events have seen some surprises with the best putters tending to win. That isn’t the strength of Thomas, and surely not Spieth, which makes me believe the current form of McIlroy combined with a sprinkle of Woods magic will be enough to see them come out on top. Pick: Woods/McIlroy +105

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