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The Open: 5 Sunday match-ups we want to see at the 2018 British Open

By Kyle Walton

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Patrick Reed of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk on the seventh green during the final round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Patrick Reed of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk on the seventh green during the final round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – MAY 13: Tiger Woods of the United States and Jordan Spieth of the United States look on from the fourth hole during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on May 13, 2018 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – MAY 13: Tiger Woods of the United States and Jordan Spieth of the United States look on from the fourth hole during the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on May 13, 2018 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

2. Jordan Spieth vs. Tiger Woods

Some athletes just have that “it factor” when it comes to their profession. Those intangible qualities that make a true superstar are hard to come by. Tiger Woods for better or worse has been one of the most polarizing players to ever play the game of golf.

Since turning pro in 1996 Tiger Woods has amassed an outstanding 106 wins around the world. On the PGA Tour alone Woods has turned in 79 victories putting him three behind the all-time lead held by Sam Snead. His trophy room is adorned with 14 major championships and he’s a grand slam champion (three times over).

After a lengthy list of personal and physical issues many believed the days of competing, let alone at a championship level, had more than passed Woods by coming into this season. Woods last won in 2013 and since then vowed to not return to a steady golf schedule until he felt he could truly compete. This season he has done just that recording top-25 finishes in eight of the 12 events he’s played including a runner-up finish at the Valspar Championship.

While there can be no other Tiger on tour Jordan Spieth has more than proven his star potential since turning pro in 2012. As Woods went on hiatus Spieth ramped up his energy, his game and his wins. In just a short amount of time, he has 14 professional wins and three majors to his name.

Spieth’s last victory was none other than last year’s Open Championship. Just one year ago at Royal Birkdale Spieth never shot about 70 over his four days of play, taking home a three-stroke victory over Matt Kuchar. This year at Carnoustie Spieth defends his championship at one of golf’s most historic venues and who better to do it against than one of golf’s most historic players down the stretch on Sunday?

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