The much anticipated showdown at Wynn Golf Club, billed as a battle between young stars and longtime veterans, went to the final hole, with three-time MVP Rodgers dropping his final putt for birdie and the win.
The 12-hole game saw crowds at “the Match” for the first time, with players equipped with microphones to allow them to communicate with each other and TNT presenters, anchored by sports reporter Ernie “EJ” Johnson.
The psychological warfare waged leading up to the sixth running of the event intensified on the course, with Green Bay QB Rodgers pushing one last tee-off: “I thought they had some competent golfers would pick, and then I saw the match-up.”
The mind games extended to the players’ gear, with Allen proudly showing off his custom golf ball, adorned with Brady’s infamous 2000 NFL Scouting Combine photo.
Brady, however, came prepared with a custom ball of his own, which imprinted his with the image of a well-known friend – the Lombardi trophy.
“Josh, have you ever seen one like that?” Brady jibed and presented the ball to Allen. “Do you know what that is?”
“These guys are pretty good at golf. That’s what happens when you don’t go to OTAs,” Allen said. “You just play golf all day.”
‘The Grim Reaper’
Mahomes and Allen showed impressive driving and putting, making a comeback to tie the game on the fifth hole before taking the lead on the eighth for the first time.
The win for the older duo at 10th secured a grandstand finish, although this was always the plan according to Mahomes.
Talking to TNT anchor Johnson as he drove his buggy to the next tee, Mahomes said, “Ernie, I told you before we’d make good TV out of it.
“Me and Josh just got them back in real quick so we can finish it here at the end.”
Unfortunately for him, neither are Rodgers and Brady. After birdied on the 11th hole, Rodgers repeated the feat on the latter to take the win, celebrating with a fist pump while the ball was still rolling towards the cup.
“So good, what a putt. Good game, great guy, great job,” Brady told his teammate.
Triumph saw Brady take his first “the Match” win after two straight defeats, while Rodgers added a second straight win after beating his teammate in last year’s event.
And despite a day of trash talk, it was all respect at the end when the four participants shook hands.