Peyton Manning Reveals Tiger Woods’ Fierce Competitive Edge in Pro-Am Match Play

With 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour victories to his name, Tiger Woods’ competitive drive is legendary. According to two-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, that intensity extended far beyond official tournaments, including pro-am matches.

Manning discussed the story while speaking with GOLF’s Michael Bamberger about the Smith Cole, a tournament he has chaired for six years and that has been held for 34 years. The event takes place at Cherry Hills Country Club, where teams from clubs such as Cypress Point, Seminole and Augusta National compete against Cherry Hills pro-member teams over three days.

Manning, who has played with Woods several times over the past 15 years, recalled a particularly memorable pro-am match at Bay Hill involving Woods and his caddie, Steve Williams.

“I was playing with Tiger and Stevie was his caddie, and we get on the 13th hole at Bay Hill,” Manning began. “Tiger says, ‘All right, I’m 4 down to you. I’ll play you from here on in for 100 bucks.’

“I said, easy. I’m done. This thing’s over. I had a banker from the sponsor who was my caddie, that was just there to be in the group with Tiger. He knew nothing about golf. Stevie was reading all my putts.

“We get on the 13th green. I got a 20-foot birdie putt. I said, Stevie, what do you like? I think it’s going left. Deadpan. It’s going right? Deadpan. I’m gonna hit it straight, Stevie. Deadpan.

“‘Boss says y’all got a bet, no more help.’

“Thanks a lot,” Manning continued. “I said, Banker Bob, what do you think? He’s like, I have no clue. Thank you very much.

“Who do you think won that match? Tiger Woods. If that doesn’t tell you how competitive that guy is, I don’t know a better example.”

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