Did we learn from the massive 5.8 million-viewer audience for The Match II that golf fans just never get tired of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson? Or did we learn that sports fans never get tired of quarterbacks?
The answer is probably a little bit of both. Woods and Mickelson continue to be two of the most popular golfers in the game, even though Mickelson is just week short of qualifying for the PGA Tour Champions and Woods, at 44, can be a tremendous player or a fragile one.
But The Match II certainly showed that Mickelson’s talk of he and Woods doing more events with different celebrities makes sense, at least some financial sense for the players and the broadcasters. The addition of two all-time great quarterbacks, the retired Peyton Manning and the still-active Tom Brady, added allure. At least the numbers from Turner Sports say they added allure.
So, if Mickelson is right and if Woods is up to it, can there be a Match III? A Match IV?
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Woods and Mickelson would remain the anchors of future events, but the potential guest celebrities in the tournament seem endless. For instance:
Basketball’s Steph Curry and Michael Jordan: Okay, you may be tired of hearing Jordan’s name after the last few weeks of the ESPN Documentary “The Last Dance,” but Jordan has enduring appeal much like Woods. And we know Jordan loves to play golf and loves to put a few dollars down on a match. And he loves to talk a little trash, much as Manning did. Curry is so good as a golfer that he has played in Korn Ferry Tour events already and not embarrassed himself. He might just be the key to a Mickelson team victory.
Football’s Tony Romo and Larry Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald is noted as one of the best sticks in football as well as one of the all-time great wide receivers. Romo is noted for his ability to call plays before they are run as the top NFL analyst for CBS, but he also has played in numerous qualifiers for the PGA Tour and the U.S. Open as well as a few tour events on exemptions. Woods-Fitzgerald vs. Mickelson-Romo has a nice ring to it.
Tennis’ Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal: Oh, the timing would have to be just right to get all four superstars together, but you would have two rivalries in a single day. Mickelson and Woods have certainly had their rivalry, but Federer and Nadal might actually match that long-term rivalry. Woods and Federer together would be something for sports fans to behold.
LPGA golfers Lexi Thompson and Cheyenne Woods: OK, Woods and Woods together would be keeping it in the family for PGA Tour player and his niece. Thompson is one of the more popular American players on the LPGA, making her a great possible partner for Mickelson. As an alternative, why not invite the Korda sisters, Jessica and Nelly, to play in The Match?
Hollywood’s Bill Murray and Ray Romano: Honestly, it might not matter who won or who was paired with each other here. Woods and Mickelson might actually be overshadowed, or at least overwhelmed, by the antics of their two show business comedians. If ever a foursome was made for mics on the golf course, it would be these guys.
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