Head to Head PPV golf, the model of the future?

A winner-takes-all $9 million showdown between Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods on Thanksgiving weekend offered golf fans a glimpse of a potential future for their beloved sport. Mickelson celebrated alongside a giant pile of Benjamins after landing a 4ft putt to secure victory on the fourth playoff hole. Millions of fans tuned in to watch the pay per view event, dubbed The Match, and the legendary golfers could not be separated after 18 holes. Mickelson eventually prevailed on the 22nd hole and his successful side bets worth $600,000 took his total haul to $9.6 million.

In an era where sports wagering is becoming increasingly prevalent across the US and elsewhere, winner-takes-all matches between the biggest stars in the game are set to become increasingly prevalent. Well-respected sites like Bookmaker will offer a range of lines and fans can sit back and watch a straight fight between two popular players, with the added thrill of money riding on the outcome. If golf is to compete with the likes of boxing and UFC going forwards, it will rely on big events like this. There will be future iterations similar to Tiger versus Phil.

This was a groundbreaking event, it suffered from obvious teething problems and plenty of improvements can be made. Not least the technical glitch that saw broadcaster Turner accidentally give coverage away for free. Going forwards, an undercard would be good, a bigger and rowdier crowd would be nice, fewer gimmicks would represent a step in the right direction and making it more personal would boost viewing figures. The duo pledged to talk smack to one another, but the press conference showdown was a damp squib and hardly rivaled Conor McGregor for putting on a show. Patrick Reed versus Rory McIlroy might make for a more heated and bitter clash, for example.
Many also questioned whether Woods versus Mickelson had much relevance in 2018. Yes, they are both big names and they have enjoyed enormously successful careers, but both men's powers have waned and neither has won anything of note for a long time. "The bottom line, in the real golf at the Ryder Cup Tiger and Phil couldn't get a point," said six-time major winner Nick Faldo, who was highly critical. "That's when you are playing real golf with heart and passion. Everything [about The Match] was wrong to be honest."

Purists may despair at the direction their beautiful game is taking, but it seems inevitable. Drastic action is clearly needed to preserve golf's popularity and to help it attract new fans in an era of instant gratification, social media and sports betting. Tiger versus Phil did the trick and Turner was thrilled. "We are in this for the long haul," said president David Levy. "We don't have all the facts and figures, but based on early indications, total audience for the match surpassed expectations across all of our platforms."

Turner paid $10 million for broadcast rights, but minutes before The Match began a glitch meant it lost the ability to process payments. It decided to give the match away for free and refund anyone that had already bought it. It is therefore something of a calamity for the firm, so it will be keen to show more of these showdowns in future in order to recoup its losses. Going forwards, it would be great to see the world's best players locking horns while in their prime.

A rematch between Woods and Mickelson would be a turn-off, as The Match was not exactly full of thrills and spills. Right now Brooks Koepka and Justin Rose are one and two in the world, and that could provide a more entertaining spectacle, even though neither is as famous as Woods or Mickelson. Or how about Woods and Mickelson versus European Ryder Cup heroes Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari? Alternatively, the likes of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas should be considered, as they are young, exciting and at the peak of their powers. Like it or loathe it, this format is here to stay and it will be fascinating to see how it develops.