Days after reports surfaced that Tiger Woods would appear in the seventh iteration of The Match it has been confirmed that the 15 time-Major winner will compete alongside Rory McIlroy as they take on Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in the made-for-TV exhibition event on 10 December at Tampa’s Pelican Golf Club.
Thomas revealed the news via his Instagram account where he posted a video trailer of the upcoming event and wrote: “@jordanspieth looks like we got some competition! Looking forward to a fun match under the lights against @tigerwoods and @rorymcilroy while we raise money for Hurricane Ian relief. Mental prep for the FedEx Cup and major championship jokes starts now!”
It will not be the first time Woods has taken part in the event. He also played in the 2018 tournament where he lost in a head-to-head match play challenge against Phil Mickelson. Woods then returned in 2020 and this time had the upper hand against Mickelson and Tom Brady when he teamed up with Peyton Manning. However, for World No.1 McIlroy, three-time Major winner Spieth and PGA Champion Thomas, it marks their debuts in the event. In another first, the tournament will also be played under floodlights.
However, it is likely to be Woods' appearance that will spark the most interest given he has not played in a tournament since July’s 150th Open at St Andrews. That marked the American's third appearance of the year as he recovers from a horrific leg injury sustained in a car accident in February 2021
The 46-year-old has had mixed fortunes since his first appearance of the year in the Masters at Augusta National. While he completed that tournament and finished a creditable 47th, he had to withdraw from June’s PGA Championship after three rounds with his injury still bothering him.
After opting not to play in the third Major of the year, the US Open, Woods was still far from his best in his most recent appearance and missed the cut. The week before next month’s event, Woods hosts the Hero World Challenge. However, he is currently not listed in the preliminary field for the tournament.
The previous edition of The Match was held in Nevada in June and featured an all-American football quarterback lineup of Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.
-
The Three Most Confusing Rules In Golf And How To Interpret ThemAt times, golf’s rules can be complex and confusing. Here we look at three of the most confusing rules in golf and give you the info you need to understand them.
-
There's A Growing Divide Between Club Members And Nomadic Golfers When It Comes To Handicapping... And I'm Concerned About ItSome golfers believe competition play should be a pre-requisite to achieving a ‘valid’ handicap, while others feel you should be able to submit a card whenever you want
-
Rory McIlroy Posts Heartfelt Message To 'Hero' And 'Inspiration' Rafa Nadal Following Tennis Icon's RetirementThe Spanish tennis player has left the game after 22 Grand Slam victories - and four-time Major winner McIlroy joined in with the messages of congratulations
-
Tiger and Charlie Woods Absent From Early PNC Championship FieldTiger and Charlie Woods are absent from the field for the 2024 PNC Championship, although there are two teams to be confirmed
-
Rory McIlroy Proves Fierce Loyalty To Caddie With Heartfelt Message In Race To Dubai Victory SpeechAddressing Harry Diamond after winning the Race To Dubai, McIlroy thanked his best friend and called any stick he had received this year "unwarranted"
-
Tearful Rory McIlroy Reacts To Seve Ballesteros Comparisons After Equalling Spaniard's Order Of Merit RecordIn a highly-emotional interview immediately after holing the winning putt at the DP World Tour Championship, McIlroy was asked about equalling Severiano Ballesteros' European Tour Order of Merit record
-
Rory McIlroy Wins DP World Tour Championship To Clinch Double Victory In DubaiThe World No.3 has landed a sixth Race To Dubai title - capped off by a third DP World Tour Championship victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth Course
-
DP World Tour Championship Tee Times: Round FourRory McIlroy and Rasmus Hojgaard are the final pairing as the DP World Tour season concludes at the Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course
-
Scheffler Vs Schauffele Vs McIlroy: How The Stats CompareRory McIlroy said Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele have ‘separated themselves’ so we looked at the stats…
-
Rory McIlroy 'Would Pay For The Privilege' Of Playing In The Ryder CupRory McIlroy can see the argument for players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup, but thinks it would upset the "purity" of the event for the Europeans
