"The Match," a $9 million one-on-one showdown between golf icons Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson is officially underway. And Mickelson has already lost a $200,000 bet.
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images for The Match)
Prior to the unprecedented event, which is being held at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, the lefty told Tiger that he'd risk $100K that he'd birdie the first hole. Woods countered by telling Mickelson to double the bet.
"I feel like the first hole is a great hole for me," Mickelson said, per ESPN. "And I believe -- in fact I'm willing to risk $100,000 that says I birdie the first hole. So that's how good I feel heading into this match."
Mickelson made it clear to Woods that he didn't have to accept, but the 14-time major champion said: "So you think you can make birdie on the first hole?
"I know I'm going to make birdie on the first hole," Mickelson said.
"Double it," Woods responded.
Mickelson did not, in fact, birdie the hole. He missed a nine-foot putt that, as Tiger Woods notes, is going to "hurt the wallet."
The live event is currently being broadcast on PPV for $19.99 via B/R Live. It can also be ordered through major cable providers, including AT&T's DirecTV, U-Verse, Verizon and Comcast.
Check out Tiger's casual reaction to winning the $200,000 bet in the tweet embedded below.