Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas beat Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose to win Payne's Valley Cup
Thomas secured the win for Team USA in a nearest-the-pin 19th hole challenge at Payne's Valley Golf Course, designed by Tiger Woods.
Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods took home the Payne's Valley Cup for Team USA after defeating Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas to mark the opening of Payne's Valley Golf Course at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri.
The course is the first public golf course designed by Woods' TGR Design and it couldn't have been revealed in a better light, with the four players providing fans with fantastic entertainment, as they were mic'd up throughout the entirety of the event, meaning we heard every word the guys said, including McIlroy discussing his love for Dominos pizza at the moment:
The four superstars played 19 holes across three different formats and after drawing 2-2 through 18 holes of golf, it came down to a nearest-the-pin challenge at the incredible 19th hole.
Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, who were also a part of the grand unveiling of Payne's Valley Golf Course, also took part in the challenge, where all six players managed to find the green. Watch the six shots in the video below:
"All six of them put it on the green."
The Closest-to-the-Pin Contest at the 19th hole. pic.twitter.com/37lkhr4TOV— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 22, 2020
The first point went to Team Europe after six holes of foursomes, but Team USA pulled it back in the alternate shot format. Rose then beat Woods in the singles, whilst Thomas saw off McIlroy in their match.
After the match finished 2-2, the players took to the 19th hole, nicknamed "Big Rock at Payne's Valley" to see who would hit their shot closest and settle the match, with Thomas coming up trumps to secure the win for Woods and himself.
"I had a blast," Woods said after the victory. "I'm just so proud for everyone who came together to make all this possible. Johnny [Morris] had the vision and I was lucky enough to be consulted on this and to have everyone here is awfully special for me."
One moment that had viewers talking was during the alternate shot format, when Thomas was lining up a putt using Woods' Bridgestone golf ball which has 'TIGER' stamped on it, much to Thomas' amusement. Watch the video below as Thomas calls Woods "dumb-dumb":
Imagine looking down at the ball and it says "Tiger" on it.@JustinThomas34 couldn't do it. pic.twitter.com/FR3dVCbBU6
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 22, 2020
Another moment that had the viewers on the edge of their seat was when McIlroy pulled out his wedge to play his next shot, but the ball was already on the green.
I'm sure Woods wouldn't have been too pleased seeing a huge chunk come out of the green he designed, but of course McIlroy pulled off the shot in expert fashion. Watch the shot in the video below:
Don't take a divot.
The thought never entered @McIlroyRory's mind. pic.twitter.com/afEEDqrGsc— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 22, 2020
"You're gonna be the guy. We got four people out here and you're gonna take a dang divot out here," said Thomas as he tried to pile the pressure on McIlroy.
The event received high praise from golf fans as not only did we hear the on-course banter that we enjoy between the world's best players, but there were also some fascinating insights that we were treated to throughout.
