In case you missed it: four of the game’s biggest stars, two from LIV and two from PGA Tour, will be part of a made-for-TV match in Las Vegas this December.
The Match will pit LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka against the PGA Tour’s Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Scottie in what promises to be an exciting duel against Bryson and Brooks in Vegas this December,” said McIlroy in a Golfweek report.
“This isn’t just a contest between some of golf’s major champions; it’s an event designed to energize the fans. We’re all here to put on a great show and contribute to a goodwill event that brings the best together again.”
Blake Smith, who represents both Scheffler and Koepka, confirmed to ESPN that his clients will participate.
“Brooks and Scottie are very excited to be a part of this unique event and look forward to sharing more soon,” Smith said.
Ahead of the Irish Open, McIlroy said his decision to participate in an exhibition which includes LIV Golf stars was not part of any message.
“I wouldn’t say it’s meant to send a message,” McIlroy said. “It’s more we wanted to do something that, I guess, all golf fans could get excited about.
“You’ve got the best player in the world. You’ve got two guys in Bryson and Brooks that have won majors in the last two years. I haven’t done what those guys have done the last couple years, but I’ve definitely been, I feel, one of the best players in the world.”
There have been nine previous iterations of The Match, a made-for-TV offseason exhibition, which debuted in 2018 with Tiger Woods taking on Phil Mickelson.
This will be DeChambeau’s third appearance in The Match. He first teed it up in the 2021 edition, teaming with Aaron Rodgers in a match against Tom Brady and Phil Mickelson. He then took on rival Brooks Koepka in the 2022 edition, aptly titled Brooks vs Bryson.
This will also be McIlroy’s third appearance in The Match. He first played in 2022, teaming with Woods in a match against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. He then participated in the most recent iteration, using a skins game format, alongside Max Homa, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang.
World No. 1 Scheffler will be making his debut in the exhibition series.
The PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which finances LIV Golf, are meeting this week in New York in an effort to reach a partnership and bring the sport together again.
Wire reports used to compile post.
