Phil Mickelson will team up with Charles Barkley to face off against Steph Curry and Peyton Manning on Friday at Stone Canyon in Arizona.
The countdown is on for The Match: Champions for Change.
On Friday, when the rest of us are recuperating from our turkey dinners, Phil Mickelson will team up with Charles Barkley to take on Steph Curry and Peyton Manning in the third installment of the Match, which will be played at one of the courses owned by Mickelson Golf Properties, Stone Canyon in Oro Valley, Arizona.
Lefty was involved in the first two Matches. He defeated Tiger Woods in 2018 at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, but when he teamed up with Tom Brady earlier this year, they lost to Woods and Manning, a defeat that Mickelson jokingly questioned.
“We really should’ve won that match,” he said. “There were a couple things down the stretch, I mean, Peyton’s iron shot on 16 to 3 feet. I don’t know if that was legit. I don’t know what happened. I missed something. I couldn’t see the green … and somehow his ball is three feet from the hole when it’s all said and done. I don’t know, I question that.
“So I don’t wanna like, file lawsuits, you know, question the outcome or any of that stuff, but I do have a question on that one.”
Mickelson will likely have to carry plenty of the weight on Friday. Curry is a talented player, and Manning has shown he can swing the stick a little bit himself. As for Barkley, well, we’ve all seen that swing.
“At Stone Canyon, we actually have Chuck tees,” Mickelson said. “They’re a little bit further up.”
Mickelson described Stone Canyon as “pretty penalizing in spots because of the desert but it’s also got a great mixture of fun holes, like drivable par 4s, reachable par 5s.
“Our sixth hole is a spectacular par 3 with waterfalls and such. It’s only about a wedge. But it’s a very demanding shot.”
Mickelson then described part of the strategy that he and Barkley plan to deploy later this week.
“If I can hit the green, and let him putt, that’s our strategy on that. Same thing on the drivable par 4s. We saw what happened in Match II where we were really getting beat up pretty good and then Tom and I, on 11, I drive the green and he rolls the putt in for eagle and it just turns the whole match the other way.”
Turner Sports will televise Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Change, exclusively on TNT, to be held Friday of Thanksgiving weekend.
Charles Barkley is guaranteeing a victory when he and Phil Mickelson take on Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and NFL legend Peyton Manning in the third rendition of The Match.
Turner Sports will televise Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Change, exclusively on TNT, to be held Friday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. ET at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Oro Valley, Arizona.
The competition format will be modified alternate-shot match play with five-time major winner Mickelson teaming with Barkley, a Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer, in facing Curry, a three-time NBA Champion and near scratch golfer, and two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning, who played a pivotal role in his team winning the last edition of Capital One’s The Match.
“I’m excited to return for the third edition of Capital One’s The Match and get out on the course with these three legendary athletes,” Mickelson said. “While we may need a handicap for Chuck, I’m looking forward to playing with Peyton and Stephen and to help raise money for another important cause. It’s also going to give fans and viewers an up-close look at Stone Canyon Golf Club, a place that I’m extremely proud of and excited to show how special it is.”
Barkley added: “Capital One’s The Match has been a lot of fun to be a part of over the past few years and I’m excited to finally show off my skills on the course. Phil and I got this, I GUARR-AAAN-TEEEE!!!”
Mickelson later expressed similar confidence.
I’m feeling pretty confident after my win that I’ll even take Sir Charles as my partner to take these guys on!
Capital One’s The Match: Champions for Change will contribute toward and highlight diversity, equality and inclusion through donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), while raising awareness and spotlighting opportunities for diversity and equality in sports. All four players have previously supported diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout their careers, which has led to them teaming up for this event.
“Last year I had the incredible opportunity to play a small role in the rich history of Howard University through the game of golf,” Curry said. “I truly believe an investment in HBCUs is an investment in our future and I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to support these great institutions alongside some of my favorite players…and Chuck.”
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Manning, who teamed with Tiger Woods to defeat Mickelson and Tom Brady in a May exhibition and will have Curry as his teammate this time, praised the charitable component of the exhibition. The Match II in May raised $20 million for COVID-19 relief, and was dubbed “Champions for Charity.”
Live event coverage airing on TNT will once again feature players having open mics throughout the entire competition, including the capability to communicate directly with other golfers and the broadcast commentators. “Cart Cam” will also once again be featured throughout the competition. The event will be closed to the public and tournament organizers are working with public health officials on competition and production logistics to ensure the event follows safety and health protocols.
“Capital One’s The Match has become a franchise featuring some of the best in sports and entertainment, and we’re looking forward to this next iteration and the meaningful awareness it will raise for social change,” said Lenny Daniels, President, Turner Sports. “With Phil, Charles, Stephen and Peyton on the course, there’s sure to be no shortage of must-see moments, in addition to the important causes driving each athlete’s participation.”
Turner Sports sportscaster Charles Barkley at The Match: Tiger vs Phil golf match at Shadow Creek Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Match II was the highest-rated golf event ever to appear on cable TV. It doubled the rating of the Sunday coverage of the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, a Turner representative said. Scheduled on the day after Thanksgiving on a day when many people are off from work and Black Friday shopping may be reduced due to COVID-19 should provide for a large and captive audience.
Stone Canyon Golf Club, owned by Mickelson Golf Properties, is situated at the base of the picturesque Tortolita Mountains, offering views of the Santa Catalina Mountains in all directions. It ranked 116th on the 2020 Golfweek Top 200 Modern Courses.
Bleacher Report will also provide exclusive live content leading up to and during the event on the B/R app.
