The Loop
Why all of America should be rooting for a hole-in-one during The Match (HINT: Free beer)
Tiger Woods celebrates a hole-in-one during the 2004 Masters Par 3 Contest.
David Cannon
We already know that charity will be the big winner in Sunday’s The Match with at least $10 million pledged to COVID-19 relief efforts. But everyone’s Memorial Day could also get a bit more festive based on what happens at Medalist Golf Club.
Thanks to Michelob Ultra, anyone 21 and over will be entitled to a free six-pack of beer if anyone in the star-studded foursome of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady makes a hole-in-one. Sure, the odds of this happening are less than Tiger and Peyton putting their fused body parts on the line to engage in a tackling contest, but fans have nothing to lose.
In case you’re wondering, Mickelson has made five official holes-in-one during his PGA Tour career, while Woods has three—all of which came in his first three years on tour. Tiger recently told Jim Nantz he has 20 aces total. Decent.
The chances of Brady or Manning making an ace are obviously a lot lower. But as single-digit handicappers, it's not like they are, well, Charles Barkley. By the way, Barkley will play one hole in addition to being part of Turner Sports' All-Star broadcast team on Sunday.
This isn’t the first time Michelob Ultra has run a beer giveaway promotion involving golf. Back in 2017, the company offered 95 cases (Yes, CASES) of beer to anyone who signed up for “A Round on Brooks” if Brooks Koepka made an ace. Alas, he did not. So maybe the golf beer gods are due to bless us.