OPINION: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are the two greatest golfers of their generation, boasting 123 PGA Tour victories and 19 'Major' championships between them.
On Saturday (NZT), they will make a little more history, contesting the first event of its kind in golfing history.
Eighteen holes of match play, NZ$13 million on the line, both players mic'd up and the promise of several side bets - it's the first ever pay-per-view golf event, simply known as 'The Match'.
The 'Tiger vs Phil' rivalry goes back more than 20 years and for the most part, it has been dominated by Tiger Woods, and his 14 Majors and 80 PGA Tour events, both of which rank second of all-time behind Jack Nicklaus and Sam Snead respectively.
When paired in the same group, their record is a little closer. Tiger has had the better score 18 times, while Mickelson has outscored Woods on 15 occasions and they've tied four times.
In the past, these two golfing legends have simply not got along - for whatever reasons, they just aren't good friends.
During one of Mickelson's paternity breaks - he has two daughters and one son - an on-course fan called out, "I wonder what Phil's been doing all these months".
Woods replied: "Breast-feeding."
The 2004 Ryder Cup saw USA captain Hal Sutton pair the two in the opening two rounds of the tournament. They went winless in what was supposed to be an all-star pairing, designed to secure their team two points.
The ploy turned into a nightmare, as the Americans suffered humiliation on home soil.
Earlier this week, world number seven Rory McIlroy claimed 'The Match' had missed its mark.
"Look, if it had been done 15 years ago, it would've been great."
While many would agree with him, this battle is not really about whether the combatants are in career form - it's about their rivalry.
If this match had taken place in 2006, when the two combined to win four of five Majors played over a 12-month period, it may have bought more interest, but the result would be no more meaningful or historically significant then what will transpire this weekend.
In 2018, the plot has been sweetened by 12 more years of antagonism, egos and intense competition between the two.
With both players and caddies mic'd up, drone coverage of the course, 4D swing analysis, hawk-eye putt predictor and an on-course steadicam, this showdown will revolutionise golf and the coverage of the sport as we know it.
McIlroy has been extremely naive with his comments. This event - like many things this pair has achieved during their careers - could pave the way for similar opportunities for the next generation.
'The Match 2.0' could be a very real prospect this time next year.
The money is somewhat irrelevant in this match. Whether or not these two were playing for $10 dollars or $10 million, the intensity would be no different.
Look at the Ryder Cup - no money on the line, just pride, bragging rights and an ego boost, exactly what will be up for grabs at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas this weekend.
Who has the advantage? Given there will be no public at the event, we will hear no 'Tiger roars', which players often admit is the loudest of them all.
Mickelson is a showman and the ultimate at interacting to get fans involved. Woods is the epitome of a professional, locked in at all times - advantage Woods.
Woods also has it all to lose. He's had the better career to date and has the edge mentally over the lefty.
He summed it up perfectly in an ESPN interview, responded to the question: "How are you going to get in Phil's head?"
Woods replied: "I've been in his head for over 20 years", adding further fuel to the fire that has raged for two decades.
Both golfers are coming off winning seasons. Yes, it was only one victory each, but a win on the PGA Tour is one of the hardest things to achieve in the sport.
Many sports have rivalries that we will never be able to see - Brady vs Montana, Jordan vs James, Ruth vs Bonds, Bradman vs Tendulkar to name a few. Let's sit back and watch, as two of the game's best go head to head.
Whether you're a golfing tragic or just a sports fan that loves a spectacle, this event is must-watch viewing, which will have everything a pay-per-view boxing match has.
Two people who don't like each other, going at it, trading blow-for-blow on the biggest stage.
Fearless prediction: Tiger Woods, wearing his trademark red-and-black, silences the lefty on the 15th hole, 4&3.
Luke Robinson is a Newshub online sports producer.
Join us at 8am Saturday for live updates of The Match: Tiger vs Phil at Las Vegas.
