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On Thursday evening, four of the world’s biggest sports stars faced off in a 12-hole match in the heart of Sin City, at Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas, for the eighth edition of the match.
What was at stake? Pride. And a lot of money for charity.
With six national championships between the contenders — two Super Bowls for Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelsey and four NBA titles for Golden State Warriors teammates Steve Curry and Klay Thompson, there was plenty of guts to spare.
“It’s the best couple in football against the best couple in basketball,” Kelsey said in the pre-game hype clip.
looks correct. Miss any of the action? Spoiler alert: It wasn’t even close, but there were plenty of highlights. Check out the top 15 moments from The Match below.
appropriate detection
Wow Wow wow. The late-afternoon temperature in Vegas was in the triple digits to kick off, and Kelsey revealed… Does he untangle the tight-knit cables? Yes sir! His shorts had a matching blazer jacket, which he shed before he scored his opening shot, revealing a simple white Nike model. wide!
Later in the broadcast, Kelce’s appearance was compared to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Carlton Hotel, which Kelce fell in love with. He even performed a mini version of the viral dance in his buggy.
Mahomes, he’s just like us!
Mahomes wasted no time getting drunk. Right after his approach shot sailed over the first green, he opened Coors Lite and took a big gulp. One. to. we!
Mahomes and Kelsey score first blood
Wait what?!
Yes, this is correct. Despite the fact that Curry and Thompson were strong betting favorites, first blood in the match went to Mahomes and Kelce on the second hole. A few missteps made things interesting, but a deft slide from Mahomes gave his team the hole with a birdie.
Immelman’s sincere gratitude
During a quiet moment on the third hole, the broadcast team spoke to Curry about his efforts to encourage inclusivity in golf with his non-rated tour, now in its second season, with the goal of giving equity, access and opportunity to underrepresented juniors in golf.
After Curry talked about it, Immelman said, “Hey Steve, being a professional golfer for 23 years, I just want to thank you for everything you do for our sport, man. I really, really appreciate it, it’s amazing stuff.”
Well said, Trev!
Closest pin – sort of
The fourth hole, a 3 par, provided the first hole in the “Challenge,” where a hole in one will bring in $2 million for charity, a five-foot putt, $250,000, and a locker for the hole, $100,000.
After the other three players hit errant shots, it was up to Curry. Even he failed to hit the green. However, as the closest player, technically speaking, he won $100,000.
Analyst Charles Barclay was not surprised.
“You can’t give the guys closest to the pin if they don’t hit the green,” he said. “Stop it.”
Mahomes claw!
As if we don’t already know, but still! Skill transmitted!
Although his shots were a bit wild, in the early part of The Match Mahomes came again and again around the green, draining putts and hitting chips. The fourth hole was a perfect example, when he drained a 10-foot par to put himself and Kelce at a 3-up to par 4 – a shock if ever there was one.
Curry etiquette guidelines
Carey was an example of how to deliver an etiquette lesson in a non-judgmental and cheerful manner.
When Draymond Green was watching the teams line up on the fifth hole, Curry gently reminded him to make sure his shadow didn’t cover the hole.
“We don’t want to get into a technical foul here,” Curry joked.
See you soon!
Travis Kelsey Triumph
On the “challenge” par 6 hole, Kelsey brought home bacon in the form of $100,000 for No Kid Hungry, courtesy of his tee shot, which ended up 24 feet from the hole—the best of the bunch.
The match suddenly becomes a blast
A three-putt bogey on the par-3 sixth cost Carey and Thompson another hole, putting them 4-6, with six to play. Yikes!
Butch Harmon writes a tip
When Curry and Thompson found the thalamus on the 7th hole, Immelman told Curry that he had received a text from Butch Harmon that Harmon wanted Immelman to go over Curry: Make a bigger hip rotation on the way back, don’t slide.
Curry replied that he was trying to keep it simple. But then he took a great shot, which ended up just over the green.
Thompson comes through!
When Kelsey drained a putt on the seventh hole, Thompson and Carey had to bowl to avoid going a five-down with five to play.
When Thompson is executed, the men go mad, including Draymond Green. It wasn’t a win, but it felt like one!
Kelce comes in great again
On the third “challenge” hole of the round, Kelechi won again, sticking his putt putt by what looked like an eight-foot putt. Another $100,000!
Carey and Thompson gathered
When Kelce and Mahomes both missed a short putt to halve the ninth hole and close the door on the match, Curry was upset, and ran to his cart, knowing there was still a chance, despite the fact that he and Thompson were still down by 3. Three. to play.
The match finally ends
Finally, Curry got a long birdie putt for his putt on the 10th hole, which received a huge gallery ovation, but Mahomes and Kelce finally closed the door on the match by draining a short putt to match Curry’s birdie and win 4 & 2.
Barclay dug in late
One of Barkley’s most amusing comments came at the end of the broadcast, when the camera showed Mahomes driving the camper with his adorable daughter on his lap.
“I think that was a smart move by Pat,” Barclay said. “Because he didn’t want his kids standing there in the fairway.”
The grand finale
The final hole of the day was the Par 12, the last “challenge” hole of the day, with $5 million up for grabs if someone had a hole-in-one. Nobody made an ace, but Curry claimed $100,000 for the second time.