NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy never trailed and needed just 14 holes to beat LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau in a made-for-TV exhibition Tuesday evening that gave fans a chance to see the PGA. Tour and LIV are playing together for the first time outside of the majors.
Rate one for the PGA Tour, although it was hard to take this seriously as it was more about the spectacle, under the lights of Shadow Creek in such cold temperatures, DeChambeau wore an oversized down jacket before even bedtime of the sun.
There was little banter, more like a usual weekend foursome.
As for golf, it was one way. LIV Golf players have never led a match.
The format was one point for a six-hole four-ball match, one point for a six-hole four-ball match, and one point each for singles over the last six holes.
McIlroy pulled in and delivered the shot of the match with a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 fourth hole with DeChambeau already close in two. But then DeChambeau missed his eagle try and the PGA Tour team was on its way, winning in four holes.
“Rory’s strong start was big for our team,” Scheffler said.
The foursomes were close and the match looked like it might end in a draw until DeChambeau sent a long birdie putt on the final hole from about 10 feet, and Koepka missed it coming back for a three-putt bogey that gave the PGA Tour advantage. point he needed.
Scheffler and McIlroy never trailed in singles play and the match ended on the 16th hole without viewers getting a chance to see the par-3 17th at Shadow Creek.
What this proved was nothing other than the enrichment of the rich. Scheffler and McIlroy each earned $5 million in cryptocurrency, adding to Scheffler’s incredible year in which he earned just over $62 million. Scheffler and McIlroy were each coming off victories – Scheffler in the Bahamas two weeks ago, McIlroy in the European Tour Finals in Dubai last month.
Neither DeChambeau nor Koepka had competed since LIV Golf ended its season on September 22.
“I would love to have another opportunity,” DeChambeau said. “It was a bit of a pillow fight for us.”
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