Team USA Wins Icons Series Golf Behind Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Phelps
July 1, 2022
Team USA secured a victory over Team ROTW in the 2022 Icons Series golf tournament Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey.
The second and deciding day was broken into separate four-ball and singles events. At the halfway point, Team USA held a six-point lead thanks to wins from the pairs of J.R. Smith/Golden Tate, Ben Roethlisberger/Michael Phelps and Robbie Gould/Andrew Whitworth.
Icons Series @IconsSeriesTeam USA keep their lead in Session Four, Fourballs of Icons Series 2022. <br><br>Up next… Singles. <br><br>Stay tuned to find our match-ups soon and who will take home the inaugural Icons Series trophy 🏆👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IconsSeries?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IconsSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/kTc68kRvaX">pic.twitter.com/kTc68kRvaX</a>
With 12 singles matchup, the window for a comeback remained open for Team ROTW.
Australian Open champion Ash Barty did her part to help eat into Team USA's deficit.
Icons Series @IconsSeries.<a href="https://twitter.com/ashbarty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashbarty</a> takes the first point for TEAM ROTW in the singles. She gets the winner over Andrew Whitworth. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IconsSeries?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IconsSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/cH6drntN8N">pic.twitter.com/cH6drntN8N</a>
But the U.S. notched the first singles win as Roethlisberger took down Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane. That foreshadowed a dominant showing by the host squad.
Team USA claimed eight singles win to coast to a 10-point triumph.
Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz unleashed the day's best shot. He deposited his tee shot on the par-three 10th hole mere feet away from the cup.
Smoltz notched a 3-up win on former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting due in part to shots like that. He was dialed in with the putter as well.
Icons Series @IconsSeriesBaseball icon, John Smoltz with an incredible birdie attempt in his match-up against <a href="https://twitter.com/RickyPonting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RickyPonting</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IconsSeries?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IconsSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/HcWer4tevr">pic.twitter.com/HcWer4tevr</a>
Tate, Phelps, Gould, Michael Vick, Brice Butler and Michael Strahan all joined Roethlisberger and Smoltz by prevailing in the singles round. Gould had the biggest margin of victory, going 5 up on former cricketer Brian Lara.
Phelps was involved in perhaps the most star-studded clash. He was 1-up on super middleweight boxing champion Canelo Alvarez.
Having conquered the pool, perhaps the 23-time Olympic gold medalist should look to get his tour card after going unbeaten over the two days.
Roethlisberger, who sports a 4 handicap, was also excellent at Liberty National. Now that he's retired, there's likely a lot more golf ahead for the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback.