NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — In a special exhibition match held Tuesday night, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy showcased their talents against Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau from LIV Golf. This made-for-television event marked the first time stars from both PGA Tour and LIV Golf united outside of major tournaments, providing fans with an intriguing encounter.
The match ended with a decisive victory for the PGA Tour duo, who showcased remarkable skill while needing only 14 holes to secure the win. While entertaining for viewers, the exhibition felt more like a demonstration than a fierce competition, taking place at Shadow Creek in notably chilly temperatures that prompted DeChambeau to don an oversized puffer jacket even before dusk.
The interactions between players were minimal, resembling a casual weekend golf outing rather than an intense rivalry. When it came to the on-course action, it was evident that Scheffler and McIlroy had the upper hand, as the LIV Golf competitors failed to lead at any point throughout the matches.
The format of the event featured a series of points: one point for each six-hole fourballs match, one for a six-hole foursomes match, and one point apiece for singles during the final six holes. McIlroy kicked things off with remarkable energy, delivering an impressive 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 fourth hole—despite DeChambeau being in contention with a solid approach. However, DeChambeau’s missed eagle attempt allowed Scheffler and McIlroy to seize control of the match by winning the first four holes.
Scheffler acknowledged McIlroy’s strong start, stating it was crucial for their team’s momentum. The foursomes portion remained closely contested until a crucial mistake by DeChambeau, who overshot a long birdie putt on the final hole. Koepka’s failure to convert the comeback putt resulted in a three-putt bogey, awarding the PGA Tour their much-needed point.
In singles play, Scheffler and McIlroy maintained their lead without ever trailing, and the match concluded decisively on the 16th hole, leaving the iconic par-3 17th hole at Shadow Creek unseen by viewers. This exhibition reinforced the notion of the affluent becoming even wealthier, as Scheffler and McIlroy each walked away with $5 million in cryptocurrency, further adding to Scheffler’s remarkable yearly earnings, which exceed $62 million. Both players were fresh off recent victories, with Scheffler triumphing in the Bahamas and McIlroy concluding his successful European tour in Dubai.
DeChambeau and Koepka, who had not competed since LIV Golf’s season-ending event on September 22, expressed a desire for future opportunities. “It felt like a pillow fight for us,” DeChambeau commented, hinting at the softer aspects of the match.