2023 The Match Golf Odds, Picks & Predictions: Splash Brothers vs Super Bowl Champs

Capital One’s “The Match VIII” is back in the spotlight Thursday evening, and it is the Splash Brothers versus the Super Bowl Champs in a 12-hole scramble. The Golden State Warriors duo of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson will take on Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelce and Thompson are making their Match debuts, while Curry and Mahomes are no strangers to the made-for-TV golf showdown. Coverage will begin from the Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas at 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

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The Match Format 2023

Just like the previous battles of The Match, this year’s event features 12 holes of scramble play where each player tees off and the team selects the best ball to play from on the secondary shot. Each player alternates shots until the hole is finished, with the low score as the winning hole. If both teams record the same score, then the hole is halved. Whoever has the most holes won by the end of the tournament wins.

There are also some special challenge holes. These consist of holes 4, 6, 8 and 12, which will see each team attempt to get a hole-in-one. If a player drills a hole-in-one on any of these holes, then $2 million will be donated to a charity in the team’s name. Hole 12 ups the ante to $5 million for an ace. If there are no hole-in-one’s, then $250,000 is donated if a team gets within five feet of the hole. If neither of those happen then $100,000 is donated to the team’s charity whoever puts the ball closest to the hole/green.

The Match History

There have been seven prior events heading into Thursday night. Six of the events featured pro golfers or a mix of pro-am pairings. This will be the second time that pro golfers will not be featured in the matchup, the last being the Brady-Rodgers vs. Allen-Mahomes event that took place a little over a year ago.

Here are the results from the previous events.

Nov. 23, 2018 – Phil Mickelson defeats Tiger Woods

May 24, 2020 – Tiger Woods/Peyton Manning defeats Phil Mickelson/Tom Brady

Nov. 27, 2020 – Phil Mickelson/Charles Barkley defeats Peyton Manning/Steph Curry

July 6, 2021 – Bryson DeChambeau/Aaron Rodgers defeats Phil Mickelson/Tom Brady

Nov. 26, 2021 – Brooks Koepka defeats Bryson DeChambeau

June 1, 2022 – Tom Brady/Aaron Rodgers defeats Josh Allen/Patrick Mahomes

Dec. 10, 2022 – Jordan Spieth/Justin Thomas defeats Rory Mcllroy/Tiger Woods

The Match Analysis and Predictions

Mahomes and Curry have played in this event once each, and both are looking for their first victory. The Splash Brothers are currently listed as the favorites at -230, making them the heaviest favorite in the history of The Match. This is mainly due to the fact that Steph Curry is the best golfer out of the four competitors by a wide margin. Steph’s handicap currently sits at 1.3, while Mahomes carries a 7.7-handicap. It is reported that the second half of the Splash Brothers plays to a 12-handicap. Kelce does more podcasting than golfing, but the tight end played to an 11-handicap in the 2022 American Century Championship.

There are a few factors when determining who can win this event, and I think the scramble format combined with 12 holes helps the underdog. The less golf to be played, the better the chances for the underdogs to pull off an upset. Unless Curry is knocking flagsticks over on his second shot and setting up easy birdie putts, Mahomes and Kelce can keep it a close contest.

Pick to win: Mahomes/Kelce +195

Prop Bets for The Match

There are also some prop bets that are worth a gamble. There is no doubt that these four athletes are special and magical moments seem to find them throughout their careers. Wagering a hole-in-one is worth it for these odds. If Steph Curry can hit three full court shots in a row, there is no reason to think a hole-in-one is impossible. A small wager on each competitor can return a lucrative amount.

Steph Curry Hole-in-One +10000 - $5 returns $505

Patrick Mahomes Hole-in-One +13000 - $5 returns $655

Travis Kelce Hole-in-One +13000 - $5 returns $655

Klay Thompson Hole-in-One +15000 - $5 returns $755

Another prop bet that I like is which team will lead first. The Splash Brothers come in at -150 to take the first lead of the event, and that is where I am leaning. Curry takes an early lead and Mahomes makes a comeback to win the event.

Pick: Splash Brothers to take first lead -150

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