The Saudi-backed LIV Golf and the PGA Tour have a long history of heated rivalry, with players frequently splitting time between the two. But it appears like the tide is turning! After some fierce competition and drama, the two tours will finally meet for a historic faceoff tournament.
The newly named Crypto.com Showdown will take place on December 17, 2024, at the Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas! Starting at 6 p.m. (ET), the tournament is expected to bring together some of the greatest personalities in golf. On one side will be Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy from the PGA Tour, while Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau will represent LIV Golf. With these golfing professional teams completely set up, and the date nearing faster, it’s time to dive deeper. Here’s everything you might want to know about the most anticipated event.
Everything to know about the format and prize purse
This made-for-TV matchup showdown follows a format similar to the Ryder Cup and is bound to be a treat for every golf enthusiast. With an 18-hole format split into three distinct sections, each will have its unique twist. The 1-6 holes will be played in a four-ball format, where each player will play their own ball, but only the lowest score of each pair will be counted for the team. Moving on to holes 7-12, the players will take turns hitting the same ball until they finish the hole. Can you imagine the mental game that comes into play here?
Finally, as the pros reach holes 13-18, they will face off each other in a singles format, where it’s one-on-one. For instance, imagine McIlroy facing off against Koepka or Scheffler going head-to-head with DeChambeau! The exact pairings for these singles matches are still under wraps, but there is zero doubt that it’s going to be a nail-biter.
The format might be different from traditional stroke play, but it adds an extra layer of competition and excitement. Brooks Koepka himself mentioned that he sees this as a fantastic opportunity to bridge the two tours and expressed optimism about future collaborations.
The prize money of the tournament is as unique as the format. The event will have a purse of $10M, but here comes the twist. All of it will be in CRO cryptocurrency, which is quite modern and different compared to traditional cash prizes. Although it’s not clear how much the winning and losing teams will take home, the total amount surpasses what most PGA Tour events offer, aside from the major tournaments.
What’s special about the venue?
When it comes to golf venues, Shadow Creek Golf Course is truly a masterpiece and ranks among the top 100 courses in the country. Designed by Tom Fazio and Andy Banfield, it was expertly carved out of the rugged Nevada desert. This gem opened its doors in 1989 and has since transformed into a high-end golfing venue with some of the most luxurious fairways you can imagine. It even snagged a mention in the book Planet Golf USA, where Darius Oliver mentioned that Shadow Creek “reset the benchmarks for modern golf.”
But what really sets Shadow Creek apart from other renowned courses is the staggering $50 million investment that has gone into it. The marketing world even says, “Shadow Creek may be the most spectacular golf course this side of heaven.” With that, words can hardly do justice in describing its beauty, meticulous planning, and attention to detail.
The post The Showdown 2024: Venue, Format & More FAQs About PGA Tour vs LIV Golf Face-off Answered appeared first on EssentiallySports.
