Phil Mickelson addresses the media about his upcoming winner-take-all golf match against longtime rival Tiger Woods during a news conference on November 20 in Las Vegas. Photo by James Atoa/UPI |
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Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson teed off "The Match" on Friday, with Mickelson missing a putt on the first hole to lose a $200,000 bet.
Mickelson made the bet during a news conference between the golf legends on Tuesday at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas. He said he "baited" Woods into the first hole bet prior the Friday's winner-take-all showdown for $9 million.
"I feel like the first hole is a great hole for me," Mickelson said. "And I believe -- in fact I'm willing to risk $100,000 that says I birdie the first hole. So that's how good I feel heading into this match."
Mickelson confirmed to Woods that he would birdie the hole, before Woods had him double the bet.
But when Mickelson stepped up to back his words on the 415-yard par 4, he fell short. Mickelson and Woods each hit iron shots off the first tee. Mickelson lined up for a birdie try from 9.1 feet, but the putt fell just short.
Woods barked at Mickelson with some minor trash talk, saying: "That hurts the pocket," before saying "good speed."
Mickelson was one shot up through five holes in the face-off. Friday's pay-per-view event began at 3 p.m.