Breaking down back-9 picks for Woods-Manning vs. Mickelson-Brady in The Match

This weekend we are being treated to a match of golf between four greats in sports. Tiger Woods and Peyton Manning will take the links against Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady, four iconic athletes going up against each other for a good cause. Since we don’t have the PGA Tour, this is as good as it gets for sports bettors and DraftKings Sportsbook is offering two separate pools for the contest. Let’s go over picks for the back-9.

Which team will win more holes on the back-9?

• Woods-Manning
• Tie
• Mickelson-Brady

By this time, both teams should have a pretty good grasp on the course. There are a handful of Par 4s and 5s on the Back-9, so I’d imagine if Brady or Manning is struggling, that won’t be good. The format for the Back-9 is modified alternate shot, so the teams play with one ball. Manning struggled with this course previously, so I’ll give the edge to Phil and Brady to have more wins. We know that Brady plays a lot of golf and he’s been called a good putter by pro Rickie Fowler.

What will the outcome of the 10th hole be?

• Woods-Manning
• Hole is halved
• Mickelson-Brady

So Hole 10 is a Par 4, 402 yards and, again, is a pretty straight forward hole for the most part. A lot of these holes are designed this way — you’re hitting the fairway off the tee and going for the green on your second shot. Knowing this is alternate shot and Manning’s struggles to an extent, I’ll go with Brady-Phil.

Will any team win 3 consecutive holes on the Back-9?

Yes

No

This is a tough one. Three straight holes would mean somebody is absolutely dominating or Brady or Manning gets a big edge over the other. Manning could be shaky in this format, but for one team to win three straight holes? I don’t know.

Hole 11: Will any player hit the ball onto the green in one shot?

• Yes
• No

This hole is a Par 4, 342 yard and there really isn’t a clear shot to the green. You’ve got to go over the trees to hit the green off the tee and neither Phil nor Tiger has the muscle to nail this one. In order to hit the green off the tee you’re looking at 306 yards at the front. This seems like a reach. Gimme No.

Hole 12: Nearest to the hole after tee shot?

• Tiger Woods
• Phil Mickelson
• Peyton Manning
• Tom Brady
• No one

Assuming both Phil and Tiger take the tee shots on this hole — remember they’re using one ball and alternating shots — I’ll give the edge to Tiger. It’s a Par 3, 205 yards, so this is basically a chip shot to get to the tee.

Hole 12: Will Peyton Manning hit the ball onto the green off the tee shot?

• Yes
• No

Manning might not be the one taking the shot off the tee, so it could be No pretty easily. If he is the one taking the tee shot, then my guess is he probably gets it on the green. Even if he’s not great at golf, it’s an easy hole, maybe the easiest to land on the green off the tee in the entire course.

Hole 12: Will Tom Brady hit the ball onto the green off the tee shot?

• Yes
• No

Echoing the same statement from above on Manning. Brady has a way better shot at the green knowing he’s a better golfer for now.

Hole 13: Will any team record a birdie or better?

• Yes
• No

Lucky No. 13 is one of the more difficult holes on the course. It’s a Par 5 that runs 590 yards with a bunker to the front right of the pin. I could see a lot of high scores on this hole, so I’ll say we don’t see a birdie. Seeing a birdie in the entire Back-9 might be tough to fathom.

Hole 14: Will any player hit the ball onto the green in one shot?

• Yes
• No

With these questions, if it’s Manning or Brady taking the tee shot, throw out decent odds of the ball landing on the green off the tee. So that right there makes me lean “No” almost instantly. Even if it’s Tiger or Phil off the tee for this hole, it’s a Par 4 that’s 321 yards out. There isn’t tree line to worry about if you go right for the green, but it’s still not an easy shot for Woods or Mickelson. My lean is no.

Hole 15: Who will have the longest drive?

• Tom Brady
• Peyton Manning

If it’s either one of these guys off the tee, I’m gonna go with Manning to outdrive Brady. I just think overall Manning is probably still able to get more juice on the ball.

First golfer to hit a ball into the water on the Back-9?

• Tiger Woods
• Peyton Manning
• Phil Mickelson
• Tom Brady
• No one

So Hole 16 looks to be the hole they’re talking about in terms of the water hazard. While I’d love to see it be Brady, at this point fatigue could factor in for a guy like Manning.

Will any team record an eagle or better on the Back-9?

• Yes
• No

Again, I think it’s going to be hard to see any low scores in this Back-9 format. With alternating shots — knowing Manning’s history at this course — we could see some long holes. There are a few Par 3s and 4s that seem like an Eagle is possible. I’d still lean no here.

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