Rory McIlroy to golf reporter: "That's a terrible question"

Rory McIlroy told a reporter his question was 'terrible' in a news conference ahead of an exhibition match in Las Vegas. 

McIlroy, 35, and player of the year Scottie Scheffler, 28, are taking on LIV recruits Brooks Koepka and DeChambeau on 17 December. 

The PGA Tour's biggest stars had to convince the North American circuit to release them for the 18-hole Ryder Cup-style event at Shadow Creek. 

It will be the first time since this summer's Open Championship at Royal Troon that four of the game's best players have been able to play in the same event. 

A reporter put it to the Ulsterman whether the Crypto.com Showdown 'serves as a reminder' that golf's main tours are still at war. 

McIlroy did not hide his disdain, describing it as a 'terrible question'. 

He added: "We're trying to bring these players together, and the more opportunities we can get to do that, the better. 

"Does it remind people we're not playing together all the time? Yes. 

"But at least we're making the effort to try to bring the best together more often. If we can start by doing something like this, that's only a good thing."

The PGA Tour have been in negotiations with LIV's financiers since last June. 

Bloomberg have reported that a deal has been agreed, with the Saudi PIF set to take a 6 per cent stake in the for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises. 

Should such a deal come to pass, it would surely signal the beginning of the end of the hostilities in the men's professional game. 

However, it any agreement would still be subject to intense scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice. 

Observers have commented Donald Trump's second term as U.S. President will only help expedite an agreement. 

Scheffler also jumped to McIlroy's defence. 

"There's been so much talk about LIV versus the PGA Tour, all this talk about money," the World No.1 said.  

"We want to get back to the competition. It's fun to get together to compete."

The Crypto.Com Showdown will air on TNT. 

Coverage will start at 6pm ET / 11pm GMT. 

McIlroy and Scheffler are narrow favourites to win. 

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