The most lucrative one-off golf match in history takes place on Friday, with the 42-year-old world No. 13 takes on the 48-year-old world No. 27 for $9m in Las Vegas.

Whether you think this is a genuinely exciting battle between two all-time greats or an overhyped money spinner (it’s the latter), Friday’s event should offer some genuine intrigue, particularly in hearing Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson mic’d up on course.

And, from a betting standpoint, there should be some money to be made.

Woods is the favourite, having finished the PGA Tour season strongly. He won the TOUR Championship and finished inside the top six in five of his last eight starts.

His end-of-season form is hardly a factor here, though, given that he hasn’t played since losing all four of his matches at the Ryder Cup in September.

Mickelson has had one run-out since his own dismal performance in Paris, finishing T17 at the Safeway Open at the start of October.

He’s been enjoying the limelight this week, though, and just seems to care more about winning it than Tiger does.

The choice of Shadow Creek as the venue should also help Mickelson.

He played a practice round at the course ahead of the Ryder Cup, and has a good record at Tom Fazio-designed courses, including Quail Hollow, which he names among his favourite tracks.

Given the unpredictably of a match played over just 18 holes, backing Mickelson at makes sense.

There’s also some decent value in a couple of prop bets for the match.

Woods clearly holds the edge over Mickelson off the tee and looks nailed-on to hit the longest drive at .

Tiger ranked T32 in driving distance on the PGA Tour last season, while Mickelson ranked 57th.

The 14-time major winner’s advantage with the big stick also makes him the likelier player to jump out to an early lead.

Shadow Creek opens with three par fours and a par five, which Woods – who ranked second in front-nine scoring average last season – should take advantage of.

At , Tiger to take the first lead looks a solid bet.

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