Bryson DeChambeau can't resist cheap dig at governing body

Who is the favourite to win Bryson DeChambeau's match with Brooks Koepka against Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy?

If you're going by Official World Golf Ranking alone, then it's clear the PGA Tour duo are likely to win The Showdown in Las Vegas in December. 

On Thursday, DeChambeau noticed that he has now slipped to 11th in the world while five-time major champ Koepka has fallen to 65th. 

Are these accurate reflection of the LIV players' abilities?

"Hmm, I guess we're the underdogs," DeChambeau posted on his X account above a screenshot of their ranking. 

Koepka promptly replied: "Always been."

DeChambeau has always been outspoken on the topic of whether or not LIV Golf should have received OWGR accreditation. 

His exemptions into the majors were due to expire in 2025, but he will be playing in the big four for the foreseeable future after he triumphed at this year's U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2. 

Before that he explained how the OWGR had shown 'little willingness to productively work with us'. 

He argued that LIV satisfied all of the OWGR's requirements. 

LIV Golf officially abandoned their pursuit for accreditation in March 2023, five months after chairman Peter Dawson said the 54-hole, no-cut events was an issue, along with limited access for players to join the venture. 

"Simply put, the board committee does not believe it is equitable to thousands of players who strive every day to get starts in OWGR eligible tournaments to have a tour operate in this mostly closed fashion," Dawson said. 

"OWGR's sole objective is to rank the best players across the globe. Today's communication makes clear that it can no longer deliver on that objective.

"A ranking which fails to fairly represent all participants, irrespective of where in the world they play golf, robs fans, players and all of golf's stakeholders of the objective basis underpinning any accurate recognition of the world's best player performances."

When is The Showdown?

McIlroy and Scheffler will go head-to-head in an exhibition match against DeChambeau and Koepka at Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas on 17 December. 

The 18-hole challenge pits two of the PGA Tour's biggest stars against two of the leading names from LIV Golf. 

The format of the competition is yet to be finalised. 

It will be broadcast, primarily, on TNT. 

The announcement of The Showdown came against the backdrop of the PGA Tour continuing their discussions to strike a commercial agreement with LIV's backers, the PIF of Saudi Arabia. 

McIlroy described the contest as a goodwill event to give back to jaded golf fans who have become disgruntled with the unprecedented disruption in the men's game. 

Meetings between the top men's players have been rare since LIV's launch in 2022. 

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