One of the dominant storylines of Friday’s $9 million, winner-take-all match between Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods is how much people do not like it. We can surely count English Tour pro Eddie Pepperell among that crowd as the Qatar Masters champion took to Twitter on Thanksgiving to call the event “putrid” and “pathetic.”
At the heart of the verbal beatdown was a photo snapped during Tuesday’s media blitz, which featured Tiger and Phil posing with 900 $10,000 stacks.
Coming away from my Twitter ban just to take Georgie’s point further and conclude that this is indeed everything golf shouldn’t be doing right now. One man earning $9 Million isn’t attractive. This putrid attempt at attention will turn out to be futile for everyone. Pathetic. https://t.co/dTf3B4mimg
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) November 22, 2018
Quote tweeting British television host Georgie Bingham’s incredulous reaction, Pepperell wrote, “Coming away from my Twitter ban just to take Georgie’s point further and conclude that this is indeed everything golf shouldn’t be doing right now. One man earning $9 Million isn’t attractive. This putrid attempt at attention will turn out to be futile for everyone. Pathetic.”
Pepperell is far from alone in his criticism of the prize fund as well as where the money will be going following the conclusion of the match, but to his credit, he offered a unique benefactor: the United States national debt.
I think whoever wins between Tiger and Phil should put the $9 Million towards America’s National Debt so it comes down to $21,777,841,457,810. (at time of writing)
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) November 22, 2018
While others are eager to give away Tiger and Phil’s money to various charitable causes, Tour caddie Kip Henley succinctly summed up the opposing viewpoint.
Eddie may be the best golf person on Twitter besides me (only because @stewartcink isn’t more active) but he’s running cold the last few tweets. His disdain for The Match comes across as pure jealousy. Putterhead Ed you would play for the 10 million if you were offered it. Hush ! https://t.co/6592dc3ZDQ
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) November 22, 2018