Details have emerged for the highly anticipated, made-for-TV match that will feature the PGA Tour’s Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler square off against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka of LIV Golf.
Dubbed ‘The Showdown,’ this event will take place at Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas on Tuesday evening, Dec. 17. Eamon Lynch of Golfweek first reported the news. Coverage will reportedly conclude during prime time on the East Coast, although a specific air time has not been released.
The broadcast will air on TNT, which has televised multiple iterations of ‘The Match’ in recent years. Funny enough, Shadow Creek hosted the first-ever match, which pitted Tiger Woods against Phil Mickelson, in November 2018. But now, nine iterations later, Tuner Sports has re-branded this event since it involves two PGA Tour stars and two of the biggest standouts from LIV Golf.
“This isn’t just a contest between some of golf’s major champions; it’s an event designed to energize the fans,” McIlroy said to Golfweek.
“We’re all here to put on a great show and contribute to a goodwill event that brings the best together again.”
Golfweek also reports that all four players will receive an appearance fee but will not compete for prize money.
Meanwhile, David Rumsey of Front Office Sports notes that this competition will be played over 18 holes at Shadow Creek. Rumsey also notes that ‘The Showdown’ will not be a one-off event; instead, it has a six-year deal in place and will reportedly head to the Middle East for year two. Shadow Creek will serve as the American host every other year this deal is in place.
Professional golf remains splintered as the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continue to operate independently. The tour has not yet struck a deal with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), LIV Golf’s beneficiary, leaving the sport divided. This unfortunate reality also means that PGA Tour and LIV Golf pros compete side-by-side only four times per year at the four majors. But this ‘Showdown’ allows fans to see top PGA Tour stars square off against two of the best players from LIV, which should entertain the golfing world.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
