PGA Tour superstars Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler showed their superiority against LIV Golf pair Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in a floodlit exhibition billed by some as a grudge match between the rival factions.
With the PGA and LIV forming each side of golf’s so-called civil war, ‘The Showdown’ was a rare chance to see four of the world’s most recognisable golfers going head to head.
Played on a darkening and increasingly chilly evening in Las Vegas, with the stars wearing microphones for the benefit of an American television audience, there was the promise of a different form of golfing entertainment.
However, the one-sided nature of the contest – and a lack of consistent and insightful interaction between the players – meant there was not a whole deal to be left excited about.
Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, 35, and American world number one Scheffler, 28, never trailed in an 18-hole matchplay contest which mirrored the format of the Ryder Cup.
“We’re super happy to get the win. It’s a nice way to finish the year,” McIlroy said.
“Scottie and I got off to a pretty good start and then from there it was just about trying to keep the momentum.”
LIV stars put up ‘pillow fight’
Opportunities for the high-profile quartet to compete in the same field have been restricted by the PGA Tour banning LIV defectors.
The four majors in men’s golf – the Masters, US Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship – are predominantly the arenas where PGA and LIV players can duel.
So the Showdown offered the chance to see four of the sport’s biggest names – who have a combined 13 major victories between them – go head-to-head in an innovative format.
The opening six holes were played as a better ball – where each player plays their own ball and the lowest score on each hole is used as the team score – with McIlroy and Scheffler clinching the winning point after just four played.
Foursomes followed on the next six holes, with each player in the team taking alternate shots. The PGA pair moved 2-0 ahead when McIlroy sunk a winning putt on the 12th.
Head-to-head singles – McIlroy taking on DeChambeau and Scheffler facing Koepka – were played over the final six holes.
Needing just a half to secure bragging rights, Scheffler tapped in a birdie putt on the 16th – going two up with two holes to play against Koepka – to earn the victory.
“It felt like it was a pillow fight from us,” DeChambeau said.
Crypto prize puzzles Scheffler
With the players wearing microphones throughout the event, it promised the prospect of some entertaining exchanges on the course.
The bar was set on the day before the event when DeChambeau threw a cutting barb at McIlroy over his staggering collapse at the US Open in June.
McIlroy blew a two-shot lead with five holes to play at Pinehurst, missing a golden chance to end his 10-year major drought and presenting the title to DeChambeau instead.
On the driving range, McIlroy attempted to ramp up the excitement by saying he wanted to face the American in the singles and avenge that chastening experience.
“I’d like to go up against Bryson and try and get him back for what he did to me at the US Open,” he said.
DeChambeau sensed his opportunity without a missing a beat. “To be fair you kind of did it to yourself,” came the deadpan reply.
On the day itself, arguably the most amusing moment came when McIlroy and Scheffler received their winnings – a $10m cryptocurrency purse put up by the event’s sponsors.
“What are you going to do with yours,” a smirking McIlroy asked Scheffler, who won over $29m of prize money during his stunning 2024 season.
“I dunno,” said a bemused Scheffler.
The Masters champion added: “You know, I don’t know a whole lot about crypto, but this is some good motivation to do some research and figure out what is going on.”
What does it mean for the future?
The contest between four of the biggest names in the sport comes as the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – which funds LIV – continue to discuss a merger.
Negotiations between the PGA Tour and the PIF have been taking place for more than a year in an attempt to end a split in the game.
When a deal will be agreed remains uncertain.
Relations have undoubtedly thawed, however, as evidenced by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan playing alongside PIF governor Yassir Al-Rumayyan at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship pro-am event in October.
Although the PGA Tour initially met ‘The Showdown’ with a degree of scepticism, there is no denying it is another step in the direction of unity.
McIlroy said the purpose of the exhibition was not necessarily to act as a catalyst, but there was a sense of the players taking things into their own hands.
He said: “We want to let the fans know that we’re trying to provide entertainment, that the players want to play together more often.”
