'Why can't we be friends?' Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau get cosy for Showdown shoot

Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have cosied up for a Golf Digest front cover shoot ahead of The Showdown on 17 December. 

The Golf Digest front cover sees PGA Tour duo McIlroy and Scheffler sat on one armchair, with LIV Golf's Koepka standing behind them and his teammate DeChambeau on another chair. 

The publication has then used the words: 'Why can't we be friends?' on the front cover. 

Golf Digest adds: 'Inside The Showdown between The Tour and LIV.' 

LEAKED:

• Bryson DeChambeau spotted with new brand on his shirt and shoes during photo shoot

The front cover photo, which you can view below, was taken by fashion photographer MIchelle Watt.

Apparently there was plenty of banter exchanged between the quartet. 

“It was nice to see an overall brotherly candor among them and hear them crack a few dirty jokes with each other," Watt told Golf Digest.

"You can feel a sense of togetherness in the portrait."

The Showdown will be an 18-hole exhibition match contested between a PGA Tour team (McIlroy & Scheffler) and LIV Golf team (Koepka and DeChambeau).

It will take place at Shadow Creek GC in Las Vegas on Tuesday 17 December and it will be broadcast live on TNT at 6pm E.T.

Scroll below to check out Golf Digest's new front cover ahead of The Showdown...

READ THE FULL GOLF DIGEST FEATURE HERE
 

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."

Last week Crypto.com was confirmed as The Showdown's title sponsor. 

The prize purse for players will be distributed entirely in cryptocurrency.

'Crypto.com is coming on board to title sponsor next month's "Showdown" between Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka,' confirmed Sports Business Journal's Josh Carpenter.

'Organizers had been seeking $8-10m for the sponsorship. News release says the purse will be paid entirely in cryptocurrency. Will air at 6pm ET on TNT.'

Crypto.com is a cryptocurrency exchange company based out of Singapore that offers various financial services, including an app, exchange and non-custodial DeFi wallet, NFT marketplace and direct payment service in cryptocurrency.

The company's user base increased from 10m users in early 2021 to 100m in 2024, and its workforce now exceeds 4,000 employees.

In regards sponsorships and marketing activities, Crypto.com has recently attracted actor Matt Damon as a brand ambassador, collaborated with Paris Saint-Germain Football Club and secured the naming rights for the Staples Center, now known as the Crypto.com Arena, in a 20-year agreement valued at $700m.

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