If it’s his honesty and candidness that made the analyst Chuck famous, then it’s the odd and unorthodox swing that made golfer Charles Barkley popular. It took much time and several sessions for the Philadelphia 76ers legend to improve his swing. However, despite many failures and fans’ criticism, he has never stopped loving the game. He persevered until he got better. So, when he received the invitation to experience one of the best environments for golfing, he didn’t hesitate. 

Chuck has a great friendship with NFL legend Peyton Manning. But what made them great friends is their shared love for golf. So, this year, ahead of March Madness, the NFL legend invited Chuck to join him at Augusta. Manning is one of the members of the elite list at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club. Before Manning could complete his entire request, Barkley agreed. He wouldn’t have minded even if there was a condition. 

“He (Manning) says I want to take you to Augusta for a couple days and we’re gonna stay there I said oh I’m in. He says well let me finish I said no you’re finished there’s nothing you can say to me. If he had said, ‘Hey, you got to cut my grass for the next two weeks I’m like I’m gonna cut your damn grass,” Chuck said on Altitude Sports Radio.

And Manning did have a condition, however, a warm one as said before. He invited Barkley to stay at the property as well. The NFL legend also invited Dwyane Wade and Grant Hill. Needless to say, Chuck was thrilled with the entire plan. 

Awestruck by the unique technology used at Augusta National, he couldn’t stop raving about the place. He was impressed how they had technology incase of rain. It did rain on their second day there. “It had been raining hard for three hours. I mean, as hard as it can rain. And Peyton says, within 15 minutes, you ain’t even going to be able to tell it was raining. Guys, it hummed for like 15, 20 minutes. You could not even tell it had rained. It was crazy. I’d never seen it….It was two of the greatest days of my life. But thanks, Peyton Manning, for taking us there.” 

He also expressed his gratitude to the NFL legend for this wonderful invitation. Having lost once to the Philadelphia 76ers legend, it was indeed a nice gesture by Manning for his golfing friend.

Charles Barkley relished his win over Stephen Curry and Peyton Manning

This was the third iteration of The Match. Chuck was up against two of the most amateur, but highly skilled, golfers, Manning and the Warriors star Stephen Curry. However, Sir Charles was good too. And he had an even more interesting partner, Phil Mickelson. Mickelson is a pro golfer and a 45-time PGA Tour event champion. 

His skilled pro helped Chuck. They managed a 4-and-3 win over the duo. There were no odd swings by the Philadelphia 76ers legend. While there were a few mistakes, they were able to recover and strong competition from the pro golfer only elevated their game. We can see why Barkley and Mickelson won the matchup.

This wasn’t the only time Chuck played alongside Manning. The two often met up for golf. Back in 2023, the two met again in Denver for a golfing session. It was the NBA legend who requested that he and Manning play a round. Manning even invited Shaquille O’Neal to join. While the Big Aristotle couldn’t make it, Chuck joined the NFL legend at the Cherry Hills Country Club, where Manning was a member. He later shared pictures of the two from the golf club. This year’s stint in Augusta was a bit more special atleast for Chuck!