LIV Golf splashes Rory McIlroy over posters and video as announcement made

Rory McIlroy's face splashed across multiple LIV Golf graphics and videos might not have been on too many golf fan bingo cards this season, but it's happened tonight.

That's because LIV Golf has officially confirmed 'The Showdown' will take place on Tuesday 17 December at Shadow Creek in Nevada. 

'The Showdown' will see LIV Golf duo Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau go up against PGA Tour duo McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler in an 'innovative 18-hole match'. 

You can breathe now PGA Tour fans, McIlroy and Scheffler are still one of your own. 

McIlroy, Scheffler, Koepka and DeChambeau have a combined total of 13 major wins. 

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Golfweek first reported news of the made-for-TV match last month.

The same publication also confirmed the contest will take place at the same venue that has featured multiple editions of The Match.

But now everything, including a date, has been made official by LIV Golf. 

Scroll below for LIV Golf's graphics confirming 'The Showdown'...

LIV Golf then followed up with another graphic of all four players asking their fans who they think will win 'The Showdown'...

LIV Golf also posted a preview video...

'The Showdown' will be broadcast on TNT. 

The timing of the broadcast has not yet been confirmed.

The Showdown between Koepka, DeChambeau, McIlroy and Scheffler falls during a period where the professional game is appearing to edge closer to unification.

Last week, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan both played together during the Dunhill Links Pro-Am on the DP World Tour.

McIlroy joined them for a round each, and Koepka also competed in the tournament. 

Why are Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy playing against LIV Golf players? 

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

LIV Golf is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). 

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 65th in the Official World Golf Rankings whilst DeChambeau, who won the 2024 U.S. Open, is ninth. 

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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