Who won The Match 2022? Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth rout Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy in 10 holes

Scores, analysis and highlights from the latest iteration of The Match

What was supposed to be a welcome return to competition for Tiger Woods quickly turned into a beatdown. Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas took it to Woods and Rory McIlroy early and often Saturday evening at Pelican Golf Club before ultimately winning the seventh edition of The Match by a score of 3&2.

Competing in a 12-hole charity exhibition for the benefit of Hurricane Ian relief efforts, Tiger showed signs of life when he matched J.T.'s birdie on the opening hole. That was about as good as it would get for the business partners despite McIlroy's best attempts as Thomas tacked on another par breaker on the following hole before Spieth joined in on the party with one of his own on the third hole.

A par from Thomas on the fourth -- using only his 5-wood due to the one-club challenge -- saw the undefeated Presidents Cup duo grow their lead to 3 UP in a blink of an eye. From there, they were on cruise control as a handful of pars and two additional birdies were enough to put the finishing touches on this match on the 10th hole.

"I think Rory described it right when he said that it was the ham and the egg white, not quite the egg," said Spieth. "It was awesome. What a cool experience. I was super anxious to get going and just not knowing what it would be like. Obviously have my partner alongside makes it a lot easier to get comfortable out there and made some birdies."

Despite some quality shots, the actual golf was always going to take a backseat as the back-and-forth between the players and Charles Barkley in the broadcast booth was worth price of admission alone. Thomas needled the NBA legend on just about every topic, ranging from his weight to his golf game and lamented on Barkley consistently calling J.T.'s alma mater "Alabama University."

Spieth gave a greenside bunker lesson for the ages early in the match and showcased just how much of a golf nut can be, taking videos of Thomas' swings, asking each of his counterparts questions about their shots and actively listening to responses.

From a broader golf perspective, it was encouraging to see Woods hit a number of quality golf shots and string a few of them together in his first televised round since the 150th Open Championship in July. He still possesses a noticeable limp as he continues to recover from not only his leg injury but more recently the plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Riding golf carts certainly helped.

Despite dealing with his injuries, Tiger was able to keep up with his peers off the tee and often matched or exceeded their ball speed with the driver. He will be in action next weekend alongside his son Charlie as the two compete in the PNC Championship, where once again, Woods will be willing and able to utilize a golf cart. Spieth and Thomas will also be participating next weekend with their fathers before hanging up the spikes until the PGA Tour resumes play at the Tournament of Championship to kick off 2023.

As for McIlroy, he will end the calendar year as world No. 1, but where he is playing next remains unknown. He hasn't played in the Tournament of Champions since 2019 and if he forgoes a trip to Kapalua, it is likely he returns to competition at the end of January during the DP World Tour's desert swing as he has done the last couple years.

The Match 2022 score: hole by hole

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
TW/RM	T						W
JS/JT	T	1UP	2UP	3UP	3UP	3UP	2UP	3UP	3UP	3&2

[Dec 10, 2022 at 9:43 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Spieth and J.T. take it

Both Spieth and J.T. hit it close at the 10th, and Spieth made a three to cover up Rory's three and take the match 3 and 2.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 9:27 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Near Miss

Tiger hit the edge of the hole for birdie at the ninth hole, and now Rory and Tiger have to win the last three to tie it up. J.T. and Spieth currently 3 up with three to go and dormie in the match. No word yet if they go to a chip off in case of a tie.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 9:16 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Vince Carter Time

J.T. makes another birdie on the eighth, and team Spieth/J.T. goes 3 up with four to go. The best part was Spieth running up to the hole and pulling the ball out of the hole before running off.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 8:57 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Rory Gets One

No. 1 in the world makes a four on the seventh, and J.T. misses his so Rory and Tiger are 2 down with five holes to go. Need some juice over these last few holes! Tiger has looked all right, but Spieth and J.T. are definitely playing better golf as a team, and it hasn't really been that close.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 8:46 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Charles Barkley just compared his game to Calvin Peete. Performance art!

J.T. and Spieth are about to put this thing away.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 8:34 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

The Concession

J.T. and Spieth give Rory a 15-footer on the sixth because J.T. thought he was going to nail a 5-foot birdie to win the hole. He missed it, and Tiger said, "That was wind-related." There is currently zero wind.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 8:30 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

I don't understand how nobody got a Bryson-rope joke in here!

[Dec 10, 2022 at 8:25 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

All-Star Weekend?

I agree with this from NLU. The PGA Tour has to have a skills competition. Has to!

[Dec 10, 2022 at 8:23 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Tiger's Speed

Tiger just hit 177 on his ball speed on the sixth hole. That's pretty impressive considering Rory -- one of the best drivers in the world -- is low 180s.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 8:16 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Tiger and Rory

They had a run at winning the fifth hole, but Rory's putt for two lips out. Charles Barkely opines that they have to figure out how to get the match to go the distance because "TNT has 795 commercials to get to."

[Dec 10, 2022 at 8:07 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

One-Club Challenge

The entire match should be a one-club challenge. It has been amazing watching guys try to shape shots from ridiculous places with one club. Tiger hitting massive draws. Rory chipping with a long iron. J.T. putting with a 5-wood. I can't get enough. J.T. and Spieth win that hole, by the way, and this thing is about over.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 7:45 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

JT, Spieth add another birdie, now 2 UP

That's three birdies in three holes for the all-American duo. With Thomas capturing the first two holes, Spieth got on the board for his team with a birdie on the par-3 third. Now up is the one-club challenge where players will compete on the fourth hole with one club of their choosing without repeating. Spieth pulled 4-iron, Thomas his 5-wood, Rory 3-iron and Tiger chose not to disclose.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 7:33 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Spieth Hollering at J.T.

Here's Spieth yelling, "You hate to see it!" about something you really don't.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 7:29 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Thomas Wins the Second Hole

J.T. hit a long one and goes full Jordan shrug as Spieth hollers, "You hate to see it!" about his partner's second consecutive birdie. An absolute delight.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 7:29 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

JT converts from distance to go 1 UP

Hitting Tiger and Rory with the Jordan shrug, Justin Thomas connected on his second birdie of the evening to pull his team up in front by one. The moment of the hole came courtesy of his teammate Jordan Spieth who gave viewers at home a bunker lesson to remember.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 7:13 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Things are Moving Quickly

I like the 12-hole match, but it goes by so, so quickly (which is great). Don't blink!

Tiger and J.T. split the first hole with 3s. Even with 11 to go.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:45 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Night Golf

This is perhaps silly, but I absolutely love the way golf looks under the lights. Remains to be seen whether the entire experience in darkness is good for viewers at home, but it does feel pretty big time even though it's just an exhibition.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:30 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Phil chimes in on tonight's action

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:10 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Tiger underdelivering in pre-match roundtable

Tiger said he hasn't hit a golf ball in more than two weeks, but who is really buying that? The king of underdelivering to the media, he joked that he will be ready to get Rory anything he needs whether it is a banana, towel or water as his contribution to the team. I wouldn't be surprised if he pieces a few good holes together and carries his weight.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 5:44 pm ET · Patrick McDonald]

Festivities are beginning

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth are fielding questions from Smylie Kaufman to kick off the evening's activities. All appear to be confident as trash talk, friendly banter and discussions about the format and Charles Barkley are taking place. Play is set to get going in just over an hour.