LIV and PGA TOUR Stars to Battle It Out on TNT
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler versus Brooks Koepka and Bryson Dechambeau, coming this December in Las Vegas.
Update: The match unofficially dubbed “LIV versus PGA TOUR” now has a title sponsor and a head-turning purse to match. Cryptocurrency exchange website Crypto.com will host the 2 v 2 event between Bryson Dechambeau/Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy/Scottie Scheffler, with the winning team to be awarded $10 million USD worth in cryptocurrency.
Crypto.com is also known in the sports world for its naming rights to the former Staples Center which hosts the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, as well as a multi-year deal with UEFA Champions League. The trading platform has staked a claim that The Crypto.com Showdown represents the first time a high profile golf event has been paid out in cryptocurrency. The showdown will take place on December 17 in Las Vegas.
In the grudge match of the century, the biggest stars from the established PGA TOUR and challenger LIV Golf are set to lock horns on TNT. As Golfweek originally reported, the made-for-TV showdown will pit Rory McIlroy and reigning FedExCup champion Scottie Scheffler against Brooks Koepka and recent US Open winner Bryson Dechambeau.
McIlroy has already confirmed his participation (along with the three other competitors) in the mid-December event, saying: “I’m thrilled to partner with Scottie in what promises to be an exciting duel against Bryson and Brooks in Las Vegas this December. This isn’t just a contest between some of golf’s major champions; it’s an event designed to energize the fans.”
Narratives are abound both on the surface level and looking deeper. The PGA TOUR and the PIF, which finances the LIV Tour, announced a Framework Agreement 15 months ago to combine their businesses into a new for-profit entity. Progress stalled since then, but rumors persist that an agreement is getting closer. The dynamics between the four players are also somewhat complicated. Koepka and Dechambeau once shared a budding rivalry, but have squashed their beef since joining LIV. Dechambeau and McIlroy, meanwhile, went blow-for-blow at the 2024 US Open with Dechambeau eventually sealing a victory in dramatic fashion on the 72nd hole.
As mentioned, the event will air on TNT which is known for the exhibition series The Match. However, it’s unclear at this time whether the “PGA TOUR vs LIV” showdown will be part of that franchise.
