Confirmed: Details revealed for PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf match

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler's match against Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau will take place at Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas. 

Golfweek were the first to report in September that the PGA Tour duo will face the LIV Golf stars later this year in a made-for-TV contest. 

The same publication have now confirmed their match will take place at the same venue that has featured multiple editions of The Match.

The first instalment of The Match debuted in 2018 with Tiger Woods going toe-to-toe with his old foe Phil Mickelson. 

Mickelson ended up winning in a playoff after 22 holes. 

Since then, The Match has evolved to feature various celebrities and athlete pairings, including NFL and NBA stars.

McIlroy and Scheffler's match against Koepka and DeChambeau is separate from The Match.

Although it is being produced by Bryan Zuriff's BZ Entertainment. Zuriff was previously involved in The Match. 

It is being billed as The Showdown and will take place on 17 December, airing on TNT. 

The timing of the broadcast has not yet been confirmed.

The format has been described as an 'innovative 18-hole competition'. 

Why is this match being played?

Meetings between all of the world's best golfers, outside of the majors, have been rare since LIV launched in June 2022. 

LIV is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. 

Over the past two years, the PIF have ploughed more than $2bn into their league and signed high-profile players such as Koepka, DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Mickelson and Cameron Smith on multi-year deals. 

The PGA Tour responded by banning LIV players from competing in their events. 

After more than a year of unprecedented disruption, the PGA Tour entered into a 'framework agreement' with the PIF and the DP World Tour last June.

But no deal has yet come to pass to end the split in the men's game. 

McIlroy described The Showdown as a 'goodwill event' designed to bring the best together again. 

"I'm thrilled to partner with Scottie in what promises to be an exciting duel against Bryson and Brooks in Vegas this December," he previously said. 

"This isn't just a contest between some of golf's major champions, it's an event designed to energise the fans.

"We're all here to put on a great show and contribute to a goodwill event that brings the best together again."

Scheffler is currently the World No.1 whilst McIlroy has been dethroned in second by Xander Schauffele after the American won two major titles this summer. 

Koepka has slipped to 17th in the Official World Golf Ranking whilst DeChambeau, who won the 2024 U.S. Open, is 11th. 

What they said:

McIlroy: 

"The Showdown in Vegas is designed to provide fans with the excitement of head-to-head match play, like the intense competition seen in team events like the Ryder Cup.

"We all want to see more of the best golfers in the world going head-to-head, battling it out on the back nine of a tournament. 

"At a time where the professional game has felt divided, we believe this event can bring fans an incredible day of entertainment."

Koepka: 

"These events create an opportunity for fans to see us compete in a different format, and with the match-play set up I think this is going to be something they really enjoy.

"Last time I faced off against Bryson, but I’m looking forward to teaming up with him this time around to take on Rory and Scottie. 

"Las Vegas will provide a tremendous venue and this should be something fans talk about for quite a while."

Scheffler: 

"It's exciting to have the opportunity to compete with these guys in a premier match-play event that fans are really going to love watching. 

"This will be my first time taking part in something like this, so I’m looking forward to putting on a show for the fans.

"Usually in these formats I have to play against Rory, so getting to team up with him here is going to be a lot of fun."

DeChambeau:

"It's time to give the fans what they want to see, bringing the best players in the world together to compete outside of the major championships.

"We look forward to doing just that on December 17. I am excited to be a part of The Showdown and deliver a phenomenal and entertaining experience for fans. 

"Once enemies, now teammates, Brooks and I are ready to go to work."

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