Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy beat Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau in Showdown

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy never trailed and needed only 14 holes to beat Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau of LIV Golf in a made-for-TV exhibition Tuesday night that gave fans a chance to see PGA Tour and LIV stars together for the first time outside the majors.

Chalk one up for the PGA Tour, although it was hard to take this seriously because it was more about the show, under the lights at Shadow Creek in temperatures that got so chilly DeChambeau had an oversized puffer jacket even before the sun went down.

There was little banter, sounding more like a regular foursome on the weekend.

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler of the PGA Tour celebrate on the 12th green during The Showdown on December 17, 2024. Getty Images for The Showdown

As for the golf, it was one-sided.

The LIV Golf players never led any of the matches.

The format was one point for a six-hole fourballs match, one point for a six-hole foursomes match and one point each for singles over the last six holes.

McIlroy came out firing and delivered the shot of the match with a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 fourth hole with DeChambeau already in tight in two.

Scottie Scheffler (L) and Rory McIlroy of the PGA Tour celebrate after winning The Shwdown on December 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images for The Showdown

But then DeChambeau missed his eagle try and the PGA Tour side was on its way, winning in four holes.

“Rory getting off to a great start was big for our team,” Scheffler said.

The foursomes was tight and the match looked as though it might end in a draw until DeChambeau sent a long birdie putt on the last hole about 10 feet by, and Koepka missed it coming back for a three-putt bogey that gave the PGA Tour the point it needed.

Scottie Scheffler of the PGA Tour prepares to play a shot onto the 13th green during The Showdown. Getty Images for The Showdown
Bryson DeChambeau of LIV Golf plays a shot on the 15th hole during The Showdown at Shadow Creek Golf Course on December 17, 2024. Getty Images for The Showdown

Scheffler and McIlroy never trailed in singles and the match ended on the 16th hole without viewers getting a chance to see the signature par-3 17th at Shadow Creek.

What it proved was nothing more than the rich getting richer. Scheffler and McIlroy each won $5 million paid in cryptocurrency, adding to Scheffler’s amazing year in which he won just over $62 million.

Scheffler and McIlroy were each coming off victories — Scheffler in the Bahamas two weeks ago, McIlroy in the European tour finale in Dubai last month.

Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau of LIV Golf and Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy of the PGA Tour pose after the match. Getty Images for The Showdown

Neither DeChambeau and Koepka had competed since LIV Golf ended its season on Sept. 22.

“I’d love to have another opportunity,” DeChambeau said. “It was a bit of a pillow fight for us.”

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