Props and Best Bets for The Match 3: Barkley and Mickelson vs Manning and Curry

• The Match 3: Champions for Change tees off on Friday November 27th at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Arizona
• Steph Curry’s handicap is listed as a +2.2 index, while teammate Peyton Manning’s is listed as a +4.8 index 
• See below for our favorite prop bets for the Black Friday event on TNT

Just because the PGA Tour is enjoying a rare off week doesn’t mean there will be no golf to bet on this weekend. The third iteration of The Match tees off Friday (Nov. 27, 3 pm EST) and will pit Tour legend Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley against Steph Curry and Peyton Manning.

The foursome will be playing a modified alternate shot format, where each golfer hits a tee shot, then each team member must play his second shot from his teammate’s tee shot. After the second shots, the teams will choose which ball is better and alternate shots from there.

Despite being the lone professional in the group, Mickelson is at a huge disadvantage being paired with Barkley, the weakest player in the foursome. The duo is a significant underdog to Curry and Manning, but there’s more one than one way to bet on this match.

 The Match 3: Mickelson/Barkley vs Curry/Manning Props & Odds

Odds as of Nov. 26th at DraftKings

Prop #1: Mickelson / Barkley to Win 1st Hole

Online sportsbooks have a variety of prop bets to wager one, and one that has caught my eye is Mickelson and Barkley to win the 1st hole.

Until…Friday #TheMatch pic.twitter.com/SPOivh972f

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) November 26, 2020

Hole number one is dog leg left measuring 426 yards from the back tees. Only Mickelson and Curry will be playing from the tips, and the opening hole sets up perfectly for Mickelson to hit a bomb. The tee deck is elevated and the fairway is extremely generous. Given his length, Mickelson could feasibly leave Chuck with less than 75 yards to the pin, a distance that Barkley should be able to find the green from.

Chuck is ready for The Match 👌

(Via @PhilMickelson) pic.twitter.com/YPoSW5yaWn

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) November 26, 2020

Judging from this video, Sir Charles’ swing looks to be in good shape and if he finds the short grass off the opening tee, Mickelson is far more likely to hit a pin seeker than either Curry or Barkley. The best part about this wager is that if it’s a tie, you get your money back. That being the case, take the plus money with the underdogs.

Pick: Mickelson / Barkley to Win 1st Hole (+130)

Prop #2: Curry / Manning Leading After 9 Holes

Despite leaning Phil and Chuck on the opening hole, I still prefer Curry and Manning to be leading at the turn. Curry’s handicap is listed at a +2.2 index, and we’ve seen him shoot even par on the Korn Ferry Tour in the past.

Count it! 👌😂 The “Phlop Shot” gets the @StephenCurry30 treatment. Look out @PhilMickelson….he’s comin’ for you. #TheMatch #ChampionsForChange pic.twitter.com/7vDKTs5QZL

— Callaway Golf (@CallawayGolf) November 21, 2020

He’s reportedly posted five scores at challenging courses in the last month, with his best round being a 69 on a track with a Slope Rating of 135. He can be inconsistent off the tee, but he showed serious iron and short game chops in his Korn Ferry starts, so we should expect him to play very well.

Throwing darts just like he did on the gridiron. 🏈

The best of Peyton Manning on the golf course. ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/nY4NGAW5xs

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 25, 2020

Manning meanwhile, impressed everyone in the Match 2, and plays to a 4.8 index. He’s a very accurate player and has improved his handicap by nearly two full points since we last saw him tee it up on national TV.

The duo is far less likely to find trouble than Mickelson and Barkley, and while Phil is likely to put Charles in prime position on most holes, we just can’t have a ton of confidence in Barkley hitting quality shots at a high percentage.

Pick: Curry / Manning Leading After 9 Holes (-220)

Prop #3: Barkley Misses 6th Green in Regulation

We’re digging deep for our final prop, diving into a green in regulation wager for the 6th hole. The uphill Par-3 plays anywhere from 131 to 145 yards depending on the tee box, and is a demanding iron shot for even the most experienced player.

Odds to Reach Green-in-Regulation on Hole 6

The narrow green is surrounded by water, rocks and cacti, and leaves little room for error. You won’t be able to run the ball up onto the putting surface, and shots that land on the front of the green are likely to roll off.

That seems like a lot of obstacles for Barkley to overcome, and despite his swing looking promising earlier this week, I’m willing to bet it crumbles in the face of this intimidating tee shot.

Pick: Barkley to Miss 6th Green in Regulation (-560)