Photo by Chuck Burton
Indianapolis Colts and former University of Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, left, and Tiger Woods, center, chat as they walk down the seventh fairway with Manning's caddie, Colts tight end Anthony Gonzalez, during the pro-am of the Quail Hollow Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tiger Woods crouched behind the ball and eyed the cup with his steely glare. He then rose, moved forward and placed his putter to the left of the hole.
Peyton Manning nodded, addressed the ball — and missed the putt.
“Bad read,” a fan yelled, producing a burst of laughter from the overflow crowd surrounding the 15th green.
It was part of a morning of needling, smiles, football talk — and some good ball-striking, too — as the world’s No. 1 golfer played 18 holes with his three-time NFL MVP buddy on Wednesday in the Quail Hollow Championship pro-am.
“We don’t get a chance to do it very often with our schedules, and seasons overlapping at the wrong times, so when we do get an opportunity like that, it’s fun,” Woods said of playing with the Indianapolis Colts quarterback. “It’s trash talking the entire day.”
The grouping of the two superstars marked the second time that Woods was not the sole attraction the day before the tournament began. Before winning the 2007 event here, Woods played the pro-am with Michael Jordan.
Manning’s presence created a similar rare scene of fans waiting for Woods to clear the green so they could surround Manning with No. 18 jerseys and Colts helmets to sign. With Manning’s alma mater, Tennessee, a four-hour drive away, there was plenty of orange in the crowd, too.
“Whether it’s Peyton or when I played out here with MJ, we have fun, and that’s the thing,” Woods said. “These guys are my friends, and it’s great to play with friends.”
The 6-foot-1 Woods had to look up at the 6-5 Manning as they chatted in fairways and tee boxes. A bond created by their understanding of the pressure of fame and expectations, they became friends several years ago.
The duo played in a pro-am in 2005 at Bay Hill. They’ve also played private rounds together as recently as March in Florida.
Wednesday was hardly private. They teed off at 7:30 a.m. with several hundred fans craning their necks to see around the first tee. The crowd following them swelled into the thousands as the morning wore on.
Manning wasn’t immune to the aura of Woods. Midway through the round he was arranging for a photographer to take a picture of him and his caddy, Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez, next to Woods.
“It’s everything you’d think it would be,” Manning said. “It’s really special. Watching him hit the ball, listening to him hit the ball, he tells great golf stories.
“He has a great interest in football. He follows football, keeps up with the Colts, which is cool. He’s a great host. He played great today and we had a lot of fun.”
Manning’s not a bad golfer, either, although he acknowledged he had to overcome some early nerves.
With the help of Gonzalez, who Manning said agreed to caddy because “he wanted more catches,” Manning showed a powerful drive and decent iron game as he played from the member tees.
“He’s gotten better,” Woods said. “You can see he’s been playing all winter.”
It didn’t stop Woods from needling him. After Manning sank a putt for bogey after a couple of errant shots on No. 5, Woods joked, “Way to finish, Peyton.”
The third golfer in the threesome, Quail Hollow Club president Johnny Harris, noted that Manning’s tee shots had been sailing right as they approached the 14th tee.
“Don’t hit Foxy’s house,” Harris said, referring to Carolina Panthers coach John Fox’s home — which sits to the right of the fairway.
Manning carried his tee shot past the house, but it was so far right it hit an elderly fan, drawing a chuckle from Woods.
“Sorry again,” Manning said to the man after he hit his second shot.
“You can do it anytime,” the man replied.
At No. 17, Manning faced a long, tricky putt from the front fringe. He yelled across to Woods, “Tiger, are you going to make yours?”
Woods just smiled. Manning went on to three-putt. Woods sank his putt for birdie.
“He can give it out with the best of them,” Manning said of Woods. “The problem is I’m always on his turf.”
“This is true, very true,” Woods said, laughing. “Keep it that way.”
After they each parred the final hole, the winner of 14 major titles and the former Super Bowl MVP shook hands and smiled before signing autographs for throngs of fans.
They then parted ways. Woods went to hit more balls as he prepared for Thursday’s first round in his first tournament since the Masters.
Manning and Gonzalez headed home.
“I know what my day job is. I’ll be back in Indianapolis in probably two hours lifting weights,” Manning said. “We’ll be brought back to earth real soon.”
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Comments » 99
pammyvol1000 writes:
Good Story!!
pammyvol1000 writes:
HankHill.. in case you missed it this week. ESPN replayed the retiring of his jersey. His last words were " I will always be a Tennessee Vol". Nuff said.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Well.. maybe it was Sport South..?
bigorange61 writes:
A little secret for you: You don't have to read every article.
1manningfan writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
TommyJack writes:
Yeah, he's only the most famous Vol of all time. Why have an article about him on here. Good grief.
volgrog#210164 writes:
Hank,
Being 12 years old, you probably don't remember the good old days with Peyton. He was kind of a big deal at TN-- winningest QB, most passing yards, most TD passes, not a bad road band conductor, that sort of thing.
If they put an article a day in here on Peyton, I'll read it. Great guy, great player, great VOL!!!!!!!!!!
GiveHimSix1387 writes:
I actually thought this was the most entertaining story govolsxtra has released all year.
Voluvr writes:
Woods and Manning have long been my favorite athletes in their respective positions. That was a great story!
pammyvol1000 writes:
The whole Manning family is a #1 class act!
gnm53108 writes:
Good article.
Would have loved to walk that round.The banter had to be halarious.
FWBVol writes:
The story fall into the category "Vols in the pros." I think Peyton Manning qualifies.
Rick4UT writes:
You must be a nut or a Florida fan....just answered my own question because they both mean the same thing. Manning does so much for the Vols .Give it a rest.
chrisw2967 writes:
Nobody made you read the article did they ? You must be kin to ole naff.
johnward111#218638 writes:
I am surprised Hankhill can read. If you don't want to read it then don't idiot. This was one of the best stories on the site. It is great to see a fellow UT alum having a great life. I had classes with Peyton and he was always a down to earth guy. I also like the fact that A. Gonzalez carried his clubs. That just shows how awesome of a friend Peyton is. He will always be a Vol as I am. I will read every story about him. Hank go somewhere else you traitor.
Vol43 writes:
Hankhill? Screw you. Don't pass GO and don't collect $200. Join 'zz' and company.
Vol43 writes:
Speaking of sh#t who shows up?
Vol43 writes:
Hey 'zz' seen DC lately? He owes me an answer.
1manningfan writes:
I am Peyton's biggest fan (look at screen name) lol. Peyton Manning,Michael Jordan,and Tiger Woods are the only three atheletes i have been so in love with watching them play! However, Manning is my favorite between the three because he played for Tennessee and he plays football! They seperate themselves from everyone else that play in their sport because they are so smart, literally. Reason also i respect Peyton so much is because he LOVES and RESPECTS the game! He gives it his all 110% every play, never takes a snap off. He prepares better than anyone who coaches or plays the game of football. His passion dosen't start on Saturday or Sunday, it starts on Monday were he is studying film, practicing, coaching, and preparing for the game at task that weekend.
I have a Manning DVD and in it Cutcliffe talks about when Peyton was a Freshmen he would be in the film room from 7a.m. to 11p.m. everyday mon thru sun, just trying to get that little extra information to help him and the team. Also, Tony Dungy commented on Manning about that when they would have meetings that when Peyton spoke and gave advise that the coaches would listen and take notes, as well as other coaches in the NFL. Peyton has been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive about football, he is addicted to football,lol.
With that thats why i love watching him play because he gives all he's got, and that right their to me means more than any stat, records, and championships. All three of the athletes MJ,PM,and TW are WINNERS!!!
GO VOLS!!!
murrayvol writes:
Good story. Glad to see Peyton hanging out with somebody who can help him with the power fade.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Yeah, nice positive post.
Kinda a move away from MacDaddy Cheese facing hard time in Montana, huh.
teampenny#658108 writes:
Who signed Peyton? Yes, Phil did.
FlaVol2 writes:
Let's see if your team can live up to the hype.
DennisVols writes:
I swear some folks come to this site just to psot something to set the true sports fans off.
This was a good story about one of if not the most famous Vol and Tiger Wood who is the greatest to play the game of golf.
This is April and trying to find any sports story involving UT is hard to do in this dead zone.
At least we are not hearing stories about our football players getting arrested.
Voluvr writes:
Peyton Manning, Tennessee's 2015 QB's coach. Pro bono.
golfballs03 writes:
Manning is a lot cooler
gnm53108 writes:
Dont think Georgia would want to be preseason #1 again this year.
VolGraduate writes:
Cool story. Who can hate on this?
Go4Two writes:
Bad knee
n2thecheckerboards2 writes:
Manning on the Vols coaching staff = DREAM COME TRUE
the10sevol writes:
"Manning carried his tee shot past the house, but it was so far right it hit an elderly fan, drawing a chuckle from Woods."
The elderly fan maintained possession and dragged a foot inbounds, but was ultimately flagged for taunting when he spiked the ball. First down, Tennessee, midfield.
gnm53108 writes:
Was very happy for Peyton with the superbowl win and MVP.
But he had quite a few BIG wins before that.Aurburn 1997,Ohio State,3x Alambama,and others.
PAVOL76 writes:
I wonder who read the article to HANKHILL?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
All you can eat contests are not big news.
Only concerns the poor chickens.
txvolsfan writes:
Yea, Fulmer should have been fired for not benching him!!!
and why did he ever put him in against UCLA as a freshmen!!! Did he ever do anything for UT?
I guess I forgot about the WOW factor he paid for out of his own pocket in the locker room!!!
dvols writes:
michael jackson, michael jordan, tiger, lebron...
get those four together
i'm just sayin
vol88 writes:
That is the most idiotic post I ever read on here.
old_number1 writes:
That was funny! You brought out the fact that some people on here insist on being incredibly STUPID!! Bobbe-an-azz tops the list, but others are close behind. Manning has been the best ambassador ever for U.T. football! You fake U.T. dudes are amazing!!
10volunteers98 writes:
I`m always interested in reading about the Vols.But a good story on Peyton Manning is fine,too.He was a dang good quarterback at Tennessee,I tell you what,Hank.And besides,
I really like them dang `ol Colts,too.Yep.Uh-Hu.Yep.
dvols writes:
i concur....
cant touch michael jackson
i'm just sayin
The_Greater_Pumpkin writes:
you're an idiot!
TommyJack writes:
Naffy: Your material is very stale.
KNSdynasty: Good job at keeping your post count up.
mattucket#231689 writes:
In the photo caption it lists Gonzalez as the TE for the Colts. He must be the smallest TE in the NFL, but has to be the fastest.
Volumni writes:
Hey Moron! I know you'd rather hear who Pearl is dating, or which 4-star said we are in his top 5 but won't declare until after signing day, but do you realize how many current,former, and future Tennessee players came to Knoxville, at least in some part because of Peyton Manning, the greatest Vol ever? I'm an alum, and my son has a signed rookie jersey hanging on his wall.
The story doesn't mention that they announced him as :
"At 6 foot 5, 230 pounds, Laser, rocket arm"
jujuvolz writes:
I'm a huge Payton fan myself, but I want to make 1 correction. Actually, Coach Cut got Payton to UT. That's the reason Eli went to Ole Miss. Coach Cut went elsewhere. That's when UT lost Eli. I still love Eli and CPF, but I'm glad for the change we have now! GO VOLS!!
ArealVolFan writes:
and what have you ever accomplished?....nothing
crappieking writes:
Yea who cares about BobbeaVol...the great choke his chicken artist!
Volunatic writes:
I think he was responding to HankHill's whining about today's GVX articles. Apparently HankHill doesn't realize that there isn't much to cover wrt Vol sports today. Even the baseball team doesn't have a mid-week game this week (thank goodness).
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
This is a funny story! However you know its a slow news day when we're talking about Peyton Manning playing golf
TommyJack writes:
zz is keeping his numbers up.
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