LAS VEGAS (KXST) - Apparently, the $9 million in prize money on the line for Capital One's The Match head-to-head faceoff between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson isn't quite enough incentive for either golfer.
There was plenty of mostly good-natured ribbing between the longtime rivals during their pre-match press conference Tuesday at Las Vegas' Shadow Creek Golf Course. But when asked if Friday's much-anticipated pay-per-view match would be more exciting with their own money on the line, Mickelson was quick to get the ball rolling.
"I feel like the first hole is a great hole for me," a confident Mickelson asserted. "I'm willing to risk $100,000 that says I birdie the first hole."
After a half-second of contemplation, Woods countered.
"Double it."
While the $9 million prize pot is a winner-take-all award, the pair acknowledges their "six-, seven-figure" side bets would all be going to charity.
Betting odds seem to place Woods, the 14-time majors winner, as the favorite before the pair tee off. After opening as a -135 favorite when the event was first announced back in August. Woods has only extended his edge with the betting public, rising to a -200 favorite to Mickelson's +165 underdog status Tuesday.
