Phil Mickelson will square off against Tiger Woods in a post Thanksgiving Day golf match at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada with the winner taking home the entire purse of $9 million.
And if the match goes anything like the press conference, we could be in for a one-sided rout.
The two golfing legends sat down with the media to hype the pay-per-view event, and as Mickelson attempted some cringeworthy trash talk, Tiger was pitch perfect with his deadpan demeanor.
Here are five of Tiger’s best takedowns.
TIGER WOODS 1 PHIL MICKELSON 0
PHIL MICKELSON: I think that this is has been a very good thing for me, this match, because the last month when I was — as I shut things down, I’d been grinding, working out every day, working on my game every day, this has been a great thing in the off-season going into next year.
But to keep my game sharp and to have a unique opportunity to do something that I’ve had a hard time doing in my career, which is get a leg up on Tiger in anything, even if’s a one-day event like this. To have the opportunity to go head to head and to win is just — it’s great to win the nine million. I just don’t want to lose to him and give him the satisfaction, because the bragging rights are what’s going to be even worse than the money.
Every time I see you, you know, I want to be able to rub it in. I don’t want it to be rubbed in. I wanted to sit is the champion’s locker room in Augusta and talk smack. I want that.
TIGER WOODS: As opposed to?
MICKELSON: Well…
WOODS: Yeah. (Laughter.)
TIGER WOODS 2 PHIL MICKELSON 0
MICKELSON: You know, there has been moments though. I mean, there has been moments like — and granted I’m going to be stretching here, but like the 2012 AT&T where I ended up shooting 64 to your 75. There have been some moments. I like to dwell on those.
I know you’re going to bring up big picture. I get that. I know you’re going to bring up Masters and things like that. I have to pick where — my spots. I’ve got to be careful.
WOODS: Yeah, I hear you. U.S. Opens.
TIGER WOODS 3 PHIL MICKELSON 0
WOODS: Well, we’ve gone at it for over two decades. We’ve had our moments where either it’s been in regular tour events or major championships, World Golf Championships, we’ve gone toe to toe with each other.
I’ve always enjoyed knowing the fact that I was going against Phil over these years, because I knew that he was going to be tough. He’s going to pull off shots that no one has ever seen before. I would have to somehow figure out a way to somehow get the job done. I’ve always enjoyed it through the years.
I know it’s been a little bit jaded towards my side, so hence I’m really liking it. Over the years it’s really been a lot of fun for me (laughter).
TIGER WOODS 4 PHIL MICKELSON 0
MICKELSON: I know I’m going to make birdies on the 1st hole.
WOODS: Double it.
MICKELSON: Did you see how I baited him like that? Yes! Yes! 200 says I birdie the 1st hole.
WOODS: All right. There is water down the left. He likes to lose his golf balls to the left. It’s that little flair out that he hits.
MICKELSON: See, here is what you’re missing.
WOODS: These are things he hasn’t really thought about.
MICKELSON: I’m going to hit a 2-iron in the fairway, and I’m a great short iron player. In fact, one the best.
WOODS: If I hits his 2-iron hot, which he sometimes does hit right and hot, he’ll be up against that tree and he’s blocked out, so he can’t spin the ball coming into that flag.
So yeah.
TIGER WOODS 5 PHIL MICKELSON 0
MEDIA: I would like your comments on the odds established by the local sports books for this. Tiger is basically 2-1 favorite.
WOODS: As it should be.
MEDIA: How do you feel about that?
WOODS: I’m sorry. What are you saying? (Laughter.)
MEDIA: How do you feel about the odds and how accurate they may be?
WOODS: I think they’re about right.
VIDEO: FULL PRESS CONFERENCE
The full press conference with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at Shadow Creek Golf Course ahead of The Match.