Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson: What you need to know

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are finally getting around to a one-on-one match that is probably 10 years too late. Still, it's happening, and golf fans will pay to watch it.

"The Match," as it is being dubbed, seemed like a good idea this summer when Woods' golf revival was in full force and Mickelson was still a veteran to fear on the course. Then the Americans' Ryder Cup debacle in France happened, with the poor play of both Tiger and Lefty grabbing plenty of headlines.

Still, they remain two of the biggest names in professional golf, and this event has the potential to be entertaining more for the way they interact with each other than for the number of quality golf shots executed. There are various reasons to watch, and for those who plan on doing so, here's what you need to know.

* WHEN: Friday, Nov. 23, 3 p.m., EST. Get your Black Friday shopping done early, and enjoy a turkey sandwich and some leftover pumpkin pie while watching this made-for-TV production the day after Thanksgiving.

* WHERE: Shadow Creek Golf Course, Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tom Fazio-designed track is open to anybody staying at an MGM property and who has $500 — at the moment — to drop on 18 holes. Sports legends and celebrities such as Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Sylvester Stallone are regulars.

* HOW TO WATCH: This is a pay-per-view event. Shocking? Not really. This is about entertainment — not golf so much. For $19.99 fans of both can catch all the in-moment action through B/R Live, DIRECTV and AT&T U-verse, in addition to various other cable providers such as Comcast and Verizon.

* BROADCAST TEAM: Veteran Turner Sports play-by-play man and studio host Ernie Johnson will call the action, with former golf greats Peter Jacobsen and Darren Clarke providing the analysis. Fox Sports golf reporter Shane Bacon and LPGA standout Natalie Gulbis will deliver on-course reports. However, the real fun should come during the one-hour prematch show, which will feature the lovable Charles Barkley and Hollywood superstar Samuel L. Jackson — along with PGA Tour pro Pat Perez — as part of the coverage.

* WHAT'S AT STAKE: In addition to both Woods and Mickelson trying to make up for their struggles at the Ryder Cup, the winner will take home $9 million. As if either needs the money. Also, expect a few side bets between these foes turned friends.

* WHAT TO EXPECT: Think more reality television than a Sunday showdown at Augusta. After all, the concept came from Hollywood talent agent Jack Whigham and producer Bryan Zuriff, a couple of fans/entertainment types who wanted to see a showdown between two golf greats in a format much like that of the once-popular Skins Game. All that's missing in this contest is the script, and there might even be one lying around somewhere. There will be trash talking, personal challenges and long-drive payouts, gimmicks one should expect for $19.99. Woods is getting in his jabs; Mickelson was at it earlier. The two will try to replicate the banter and casual fun of a weekend round between pals. However, unlike most of us who have to go back to real jobs on Monday, these two can head to a beach or pool.

* WHY WOODS WILL WIN: Let's assume for a minute both golfers will actually be trying. Though it's winner-take-all for the $9 million, both will enjoy some sort of cut through the viewing rights and potential franchising down the road. For starters: On the course, Woods is probably the better golfer at the moment and currently sits as the favorite (minus-200). The last couple of months of his season were pressure packed, but now he can relax even while wanting to rip Phil apart. He shined at the Open Championship and PGA Championship — and still loves the spotlight. Even the made-for-TV kind.

* WHY MICKELSON WILL WIN: Lefty might actually feel he has something to prove, and based on the way he finished the 2018 season (no top 10s in his final 12 matches) and fared at the Ryder Cup, he should. Like Woods, Mickelson is an entertainer but finally has a chance to show the golf world he doesn't need to play second fiddle to Woods, even in an exhibition format. Mickelson is still as competitive as ever and might pull out all the stops to get some semblance of bragging rights over his former archrival.

* WHY THE VIEWER WILL WIN: Woods and Mickelson both have made-for-Hollywood personalities and love the attention. Woods seems more comfortable with his game and himself to give such an event a good try. Maybe 10 to 15 years ago, he was still too competitive to resort to something like this. Five years ago, he just wanted some sort of normalcy in his life. Now his competitive fire has returned. Mickelson will do fine once his competitive golf days are finished, but for now, this might be his last true shot at prominence. As long as he doesn't swear in front of a mic on the course or hit a drone with his drive.