The Match is likely to be better than the pre-tournament press conferences.
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods will take on Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth on Saturday evening at the Pelican Golf Club, Belleair, Florida. A Zoom call with all four players on Wednesday failed to generate the same hype as a boxing match. This was more like a meeting between mutual admiration societies — with some subtle digs.
Spieth stated, “If you told JT and myself in 2012 that we would be playing against these guys in a match,” We want to win it because these guys have inspired us so much.
This gabfest was devoid of trash talk and bulletin board material, which would have been a great alternative to the 12-hole match. McIlroy responded to a question about the best trash-talker among the group by saying, “I know JT who thinks that he’s the best trash-talker.”
Although it may be true, Thomas has seen enough of Tiger’s battles to know that Spieth and Woods are significantly behind McIlroy and McIlroy on the course.
Thomas stated, “It’s hard to trash-talk them.” “I feel like Jordan and I need to let it be known that we both have more majors and FedEx Cups than we do, and that we each have an airplane. Let’s not allow that to hinder our match.”
Spieth said, “They’re both quick & witty.” Justin said that he might suggest to Justin that we take the nice guy route. This isn’t a normal thing for us in these types of matches.
Woods said, “Either it will or not work.”
Tiger said that , despite his suffering from plantar fasciitis which caused him to withdraw last week from the Hero World Challenge, will be ready to play on Saturday. This was due to having a golf cart available to him.
It will be a great help. Woods said that he can hit golf balls but it is difficult to get from Point A and Point B. This will be his third appearance at The Match, which will mark the seventh edition of this charity event.
McIlroy stated that Thomas and Spieth have been an exciting duo for Team USA in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups. However, he said that he and Woods had never been partners.
McIlroy stated, “I’ve been on their wrong side in the Ryder Cup before and I’m trying for one back.” “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. “The partner I had before them doesn’t compare to the one that I will have on Saturday night.”
Spieth stated, “I believe we’re underdogs. That’s the mentality that we’re going for.”
McIlroy then interrupted. McIlroy interrupted, “I thought that I saw the betting line. I thought I saw that you were the favorites,” he stated.
Thomas said, “Oh, yes, sharks know their stuff, I guess.”
Justin Thomas, United States Team, and Jordan Spieth, United States Team, discuss the range before the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail hollow Country Club, September 19, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images).
Charles Barkley, a former broadcaster, returns to the broadcast to spice things up and keep players on their toes. He also hopes to draw out some great barbs between four competitors who are just a little too friendly. Tiger pointed out that Barkley used to talk directly into the earpieces of players in the past, while they were mid-swing.
Tiger stated that Charles was saying something which is probably inappropriate for most viewers, but it’s getting directly into our ears and we cannot respond to him. The chatter is great, but not as much as we would normally share amongst each other. There are some words that you simply can’t use in this day and age. My vocabulary is limited, as most of these guys are aware. There are certain words that can be classified as verbs, nouns or adjectives. I use the same words to describe them all.
The funniest moment at the press conference was when Tiger slapped his partner and declared, “He’s going have the best cheerleader that he’s ever had.”
McIlroy stated, “Maybe not be the prettiest.”
Tiger took offense. He said, “Hey, you’re my team, dude!”
You can find more cheap shots and great golf shots on Saturday night.
