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ENRIQUE MELLADO
Updated
The first glimmer of agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf came last October, when the event called ‘Crypto.com Showdown’a new version of those duels known as ‘The Match’ that began Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in 2018. This new tournament will face Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy (PGA) versus Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka (LIV), and it has been possible thanks to the fact that both circuits have given the green light to their players to compete in it.
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 do not usually compete with each other? “Yeah”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 in the exclusive field of Shadow Creek (Las Vegas) this morning (starting at 00:00 h.; it is not broadcast in Spain), and the tournament format will include three different competition styles. The first six holes will be played in style fourballs (four balls and the best of each team counts), the next six will be in foursomes (alternate blows in the couple) and for the last six pairings are made individual. In this last section there is already a bet on a match between DeChambeau and McIlroy as revenge for the last US Open.
This event has not been counted with the overall winner of the LIV as an individual this year, the Spanish Jon Rahmalthough it is true that the Bryson-Brooks couple – until not long ago they were enemies – sells quite a bit among American fans and it is about two major winning players being 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.
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 ride to the countryside is included. Starting Friday, only members and their guests have access to this club.
The ‘Showdown’ prize pool is estimated to be at least 10 million dollars. 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 amounts to millions of dollars.
