Rory McIlroy and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler took victory for the PGA Tour workforce in opposition to LIV Golf stars Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka within the first version of ‘The Showdown’.
The primary-of-its-kind competitors marks the primary time that PGA Tour gamers have competed in opposition to LIV Golf gamers outdoors of the majors and the Olympics, with DeChambeau and Koepka each unable to characteristic on the PGA Tour since becoming a member of the Saudi-backed circuit in 2022.
Scheffler and McIlroy by no means trailed and wanted solely 14 holes to take victory at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas.
With 4 complete factors out there – two in singles play – 2 1/2 factors have been wanted for the victory and the ultimate McIlroy/DeChambeau match was not performed to completion, because the far-sharper PGA Tour duo claimed victory in dominant style.
The format was one level for a six-hole fourballs match, one level for a six-hole foursomes match and one level every for singles over the past six holes.
McIlroy got here out firing and delivered the shot of the match with a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-five fourth gap with DeChambeau already in tight in two. However then DeChambeau missed his eagle try to the PGA Tour aspect was on its method, successful in 4 holes.
“Rory getting off to a great start was big for our team,” Scheffler mentioned.
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Watch the story of Scottie Scheffler’s ultimate spherical as he claimed a second inexperienced jacket at Augusta Nationwide with a four-under-par 68, his second Masters win within the final three years
The foursomes was tight and the match appeared as if it’d finish in a draw till DeChambeau despatched a protracted birdie putt on the final gap about 10 toes by, and Koepka missed it coming again for a three-putt bogey that gave the PGA Tour the purpose it wanted.
Scheffler and McIlroy by no means trailed in singles and the match ended on the sixteenth gap with out viewers getting an opportunity to see the signature par-three seventeenth at Shadow Creek.
Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka pictured alongside victorious pairing Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, as handshakes and high-fives are exchanged on the sixteenth inexperienced at Shadow Creek Golf Course
What it proved was nothing greater than the wealthy getting richer. Scheffler and McIlroy every gained $5 million paid in cryptocurrency, including to Scheffler’s superb 12 months wherein he gained simply over $62 million. Scheffler and McIlroy have been every coming off victories – Scheffler within the Bahamas two weeks in the past, McIlroy within the European tour finale in Dubai final month.
Neither DeChambeau and Koepka had competed since LIV Golf ended its season on September 22.
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Bryson DeChambeau nailed an incredible hole-in-one over his home after 16 days of attempting on the 134th try!
“I’d love to have another opportunity,” DeChambeau mentioned. “It was a bit of a pillow fight for us.”
May this assist in direction of getting a PGA Tour/LIV deal performed?
Because the rift thaws between the duelling excursions, there’s some perception that the competitors within the Nevada desert may find yourself being a precursor to a full-blown Ryder Cup-style match between the 2 excursions performed over a complete weekend.
“Ideally, I think the end goal here is to get the game of golf back together,” Scheffler mentioned forward of the unprecedented PGA Tour versus LIV Golf crossover conflict.
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Scheffler says he is not in any respect annoyed by an absence of progress over a deal being struck between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Funding fund
In August, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan mentioned he had been inspired by “enhanced” negotiations with the Saudi Public Funding Fund, however warned no deadline has been set for a deal to be agreed.
The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF – financers of the breakaway LIV Golf League – signed a framework settlement in June 2023 that may mix the respective excursions and search to deliver over $1bn of Saudi funding into the sport of golf.
Virtually a 12 months on from the unique December 31 deadline, the PGA Tour and PIF stay in negotiations over the proposed settlement, with Monahan unable to commit a date on when negotiations will conclude.
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Rory McIlroy believes the brand new US President-elect Donald Trump may assist dealer a deal to merge the PGA Tour and LIV Golf
And the dearth of timeline on a possible decision has seemingly prompted the gamers to behave and arrange one thing like The Showdown.
“It was really about us taking this into our own hands a little bit and do something outside of either tour, to not only give back to the fans, but to show them or at least let them know we’re trying,” McIlroy mentioned.
“The players want to play together more often. I feel like we’re all in this holding pattern because of the negotiations and the deal, and it’s not really good for anyone.”
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