NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy never trailed and needed only 14 holes to defeat LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau during Tuesday night’s made-for-television exhibition that gave fans a chance to see PGA Tour and LIV stars together after for the first time outside the main stars.
Cross one out on the PGA Tour, although it was hard to take it seriously because it was more about the performance, under the lights at Shadow Creek, with temperatures so chilly that DeChambeau was wearing an oversized down jacket before the sun went down.
There was little banter, sounding more like a regular weekend foursome.
As for golf, it was one-sided. LIV Golf players have never led in any match.
The format was one point for a six-hole Fourballs match, one point for a six-hole Foursome match, and one point for singles play over the final six holes.
McIlroy came out swinging and made the decisive shot with a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 fourth hole, and DeChambeau had already been in a tight spot two games into the match. However, DeChambeau missed and the PGA Tour team was on track, winning in four holes.
“Rory’s great start was important for our team,” Scheffler said.
The foursome was tight and it looked like the match might end in a tie until DeChambeau made a long birdie putt on the final hole about 10 feet away and Koepka missed the shot, returning for a three-putt bogey to give the PGA Tour the point win that it was needed.
Scheffler and McIlroy never lost in singles play, and the match ended on the 16th hole without spectators getting a chance to see Shadow Creek’s signature par 3 17th hole.
It turned out to be nothing more than getting rich. Scheffler and McIlroy each won $5 million in cryptocurrency, adding to Scheffler’s incredible year in which he won just over $62 million. Scheffler and McIlroy have had victories – Scheffler in the Bahamas two weeks ago, McIlroy at the European tour finale in Dubai last month.
Neither DeChambeau nor Koepka have competed against each other since LIV Golf ended its season on September 22.
“I would like to have another chance,” DeChambeau said. “It was a pillow fight for us.”
