The first hint of agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf came last October, when the event called ‘Crypto.com Showdown’ was announced, a new version of those duels known as ‘The Match’ started by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. in 2018. This new tournament will pit Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy (PGA) against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka (LIV), and has been possible thanks to the fact that both circuits They have given the green light to their players to compete.
The surprising thing is that the American tour has finally winked at its rival, probably for the sake of future understanding. Perhaps, in time, ‘Showdown’ will become more than just an entertaining four-player duel and become an official Ryder Cup-style event. Does it remind the public that the best don’t usually compete against each other? usually? “Yes,” replies McIlroy, who sees it as a step forward: “But at least we are making the effort to bring together the best more often. Starting doing something like this is already something positive,” he adds.
The action will take place at the exclusive Shadow Creek course (Las Vegas) this morning (starting at 12:00 a.m.; it is not broadcast in Spain), and the tournament format will include three different competition styles. The first six holes will be played in fourballs style (four balls and the best of each team counts), the next six will be in foursomes (alternating shots in the pair) and for the last six individual pairings will be made. In this last section, there is already a bet on a match between DeChambeau and McIlroy as revenge for the last US Open.
The general winner of the LIV as an individual this year, the Spanish Jon Rahm, has not been counted for this event, although it is true that the Bryson-Brooks couple – until not long ago they were enemies – sells quite a bit among American fans and These are two major-winning players who are members of the LIV. The PGA elections, with their two banners, need little introduction, especially Scheffler, recently elected player of the year on the circuit after having the best season for a golfer in many years.
The curiosity related to Shadow Creek is that, from Monday to Thursday the green fee is $1,250 per golfer (the most expensive in the US). In addition, it is mandatory to stay at MGM hotels or resorts (maximum two people per room) and round-trip limousine travel to the field is included. Starting Friday, only members and their guests have access to this club.
The prize pool for ‘Showdown’ is estimated to be at least $10 million. The title sponsor has not stated an exact figure, but Crypto.com has revealed that the winners will receive the prize in the form of cryptocurrency (CRO) and that the amount runs into millions of dollars.
