Excerpts from Money Golf
The first British Open in 1860 was a stroke play tournament that prompted little interest among the sporting gentlemen in Scotland. Challenge matches between professionals were the most exciting form of competitive golf at that time. "Stroke play makes for dull wagering," wrote one observer.
Andra Kirkaldy, the St Andrews greenkeeper, said that challenge matches were the "life of golf" in the 1880s. Exhibition matches were gaining favor in Britain at the time, and the best players had more opportunities for a good payday than the youngsters or lesser players. "I wouldn’t give a button for an exhibition game," Kirkaldy said. "Man against man, and pocket against pocket, in deadly earnest is the thing."
"I cannot help regretting the passing of these contests," Harry Vardon wrote in 1933, regarding the dwindling number of high stakes challenge matches. "In a way it is a pity as a stern struggle between two leading players in a real money match is something going a long way to see."
"I've always believed in playing golf for a little something, even if it's just fifty cents a side," Sam Snead said. "There’s nothing more boring than a walk in the park with three other guys. For me to play a casual round of golf with nothing at stake is a waste of time."
"Over the years, Arnold’s the only guy I’ve played against for more than ten dollars," Nicklaus said. "We usually play for twenty." When asked who was up lifetime, Jack pointed at Arnie.
"But it doesn’t matter," Palmer responded, "because Jack never pays me."
"I’d rather owe it to you and then beat you out of it."
"When I grew up, golf was a gambling game, that was just the nature of it," Raymond Floyd recalled. "And as for me, that was the fascination of it. I started playing for quarters, and for a long time I guess I never played a game of golf that I didn’t have a bet on."
Phil Mickelson makes it clear that he doesn’t view his Tuesday money matches as gambling. "If you’re in Las Vegas and playing in the casino, that’s gambling. I consider golf wagering a form of competition."
"We always have to have something riding on it," Annika Sorenstam said of golf with Tiger Woods. "I think the bets keep him motivated to beat me. For me, I think it’s actually more the pride than anything. I always tell him: ‘If I beat you I can say it.’"
