Golf’s long-simmering civil war is about to become prime-time entertainment.
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will face Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in a made-for-TV match later this year, Golfweek has learned.
The contest pits the two biggest stars on the PGA Tour against the most high-profile figures on LIV Golf, and will be widely interpreted as indicating a potential thaw in relations between the once warring camps.
The event will be held mid-December in Las Vegas and will air on TNT, which is owned by Warner Brothers Discovery. TNT previously broadcast nine editions of The Match, the series of exhibitions that launched in 2018 with Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson. McIlroy, Koepka and DeChambeau have all appeared in versions of The Match, but it’s unclear if this latest battle will be a continuation of that series. Four previous Matches were held in Las Vegas, three at Wynn Golf Club and one at Shadow Creek.
McIlroy confirmed his participation after an inquiry from Golfweek.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Scottie in what promises to be an exciting duel against Bryson and Brooks in Vegas this December,” he wrote in a text message. “This isn’t just a contest between some of golf’s major champions; it’s an event designed to energize the fans. We’re all here to put on a great show and contribute to a goodwill event that brings the best together again.”
Representatives of the other three players also confirmed their involvement to Golfweek.
“Brooks and Scottie are very excited to be a part of this unique event and look forward to sharing more soon,” said Blake Smith, who represents both Koepka and Scheffler.
Brett Falkoff, the agent for DeChambeau, said: “Bryson looks forward to competing in Las Vegas this December in an event that is sure to provide great entertainment for the fans.”
The prime-time special is being produced by Bryan Zuriff’s BZ Entertainment — which developed The Match series — and EverWonder Studio, which was founded last year by Ian Orefice and funded by RedBird IMI and former CNN chief Jeff Zucker. Two sources say the players will receive an appearance fee but will not compete for prize money.
The PGA Tour declined to comment on the event. The Tour has been engaged in negotiations with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund — which bankrolls LIV — since signing the controversial Framework Agreement 15 months ago. Earlier this summer, the Tour appointed a committee to handle those talks directly. McIlroy is among a number of players who sit on that committee.
Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy fist bump on the 18th green during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
In a press conference at last week’s Tour Championship in Atlanta, commissioner Jay Monahan said PIF negotiations are ongoing but refused to offer specifics, saying he would not conduct talks in public. But Monahan’s comments also included a veiled reference to imminent changes for fans.
“At the same time, we’re moving forward at speed and focused on what we can control, because that’s what we owe to our fans,” he said.
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In response to a later question about how the Tour and PIF have prioritized talks, Monahan said the sides were “really starting to talk about the future, future product vision and where we can take our sport.”
The Vegas match features a lineup of stars who share layered rivalries. McIlroy and Koepka were tied at four major victories each until Koepka won a fifth at the 2023 PGA Championship, while DeChambeau narrowly edged McIlroy in a heartbreaking finish to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in June.
Koepka and DeChambeau also had a highly-publicized social media feud in 2021. It has seemingly been patched up since they moved to the LIV circuit.
Meanwhile, Scheffler has established himself as the undisputed world No. 1, with seven PGA Tour wins this season, culminating in the FedEx Cup title last weekend, which came with a bonus of $25 million.
Source: Golfweek https://ift.tt/hNMf6RB