Tiger Woods v Phil Mickelson betting: Golfing stars lay six-figure side bet for The Match at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas

There’s been a mixed response to ‘The Match’ which is taking place at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas on Friday, mainly due to the gaudy numbers involved in the winner-takes-all event, and the fact that it’s only available on pay-per-view and won’t have any fans at the course.

It is an intriguing battle between the two fierce old rivals though, and Mickelson believes it will offer a glimpse into the future of watching sport – as there will be drone coverage, players mic’d up and also live betting odds available on screen for each hole.

At their pre-event face-off, Mickelson and Woods drew up their first side-bet, which would come out of their own pockets and go to charity, with the left-hander backing himself to the tune of $200,000 to start with a birdie on the opening hole.

The pair will engage in various side bets and challenges throughout the round that fans at home will be able to bet on, and Mickelson says that those, along with the other innovations and production, will give viewers a “glimpse of the future of watching sports.”

Tiger Woods v Phil Mickelson betting

• Match odds: Tiger 4/6 | Phil 7/4
• First hole: Tiger 11/4 | Tie 4/6 | Phil 3/1
• After 9 holes: Tiger 4/5 | Tie 4/1 | Phil 2/1

Click here for the full match betting market

'The future of watching live sports'

"This event is designed to be a unique experience for the golf viewer and to have an insight into what goes on with the players to create a production from drone coverage to on-screen gambling, to live mics and interaction,” said Mickelson

"It's an insight into the game which you're normally not able to see.

"It's why it's on pay-per-view, because we had to eliminate the commercials to have that insight in-between the shots.

"We don't have the history of a Masters or a major championship, which is why the (prize money) had to be so high because that creates an uncomfortable environment for us and creates pressure."

Woods said that players regularly make wagers on the golf course, so it will be a natural fit for them to do so again during the big-money showdown.

“We’ve always embraced it, Phil and I, in how we’ve taken chances on a golf course,” Woods told Bloomberg. “Whether it’s a weekend round with our buddies or a practice round out on tour, we’re always trying to have a little bit of an edge and have a bit of fun out there.”

“Wagering is part of what we do in the game of golf. It’s just enough to make it uncomfortable, or make you think about that one particular shot, or the next shot. That’s what’s going to be the fun part for everyone viewing, they’re going to realize it’s a lot like what they do at their home club.”

Mickelson: Woods is the greatest of all time

Mickelson insisted that it was the chance to finally get one over on the man he calls the greatest player of all time that was driving him on, rather than the eye-watering prize pot.

"He's the greatest of all time," he added. "I've seen him do things with a golf ball that have never been done.

"I just don't want to lose to him and give him satisfaction because the bragging rights are going to be what's even worse than the money.

"Every time I see you I want to be able to rub it in. I don't want it to be rubbed in. I want to sit in the champions' locker room at Augusta and talk smack, I want that."

Woods enjoyed a remarkable comeback from his career-threatening back problems with his memorable victory at the season-ending Tour Championship a huge highlight, but he's ready now to get back into the heat of battle in this personal duel.

"We've gone at it for over two decades and we've had our moments where there's either been a regular tour events or major championships where we've gone toe-to-toe with each other," added Woods.

"I've always enjoyed knowing the fact that I was going against Phil over these years because I knew he was going to be tough.

"I was really looking forward to the break but I'm really looking forward to playing again. I missed competing and being able to go against Phil like this, it gets my juices flowing for sure."

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