The Crypto.com Showdown doesn't start until Tuesday, but there were plenty of fireworks during Monday's driving range session.
Reigning U.S. Open champion and LIV golf superstar Bryson DeChambeau has never been more disparaging of Rory McIlroy for his performance at Pinehurst's second match this summer. If you recall, McIlroy missed two par putts from within 5 feet on the 16th and 18th holes, ultimately losing to DeChambeau by one stroke. McIlroy left the venue in agony after DeChambeau's most eventful victory ever seen. He was then paraded around the grounds in elated celebration.
Perhaps that's what makes this showdown so interesting. It will be the first time golf fans have seen DeChambeau and McIlroy face off side-by-side since that incredible finish. DeChambeau will be joined by five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, and the two will become two of LIV Golf's leading players.
Koepka's most recent major win came in 2023 at Oak Hill. Koepka, 34, has won three LIV Golf events since then but hasn't finished in the top 10 at a major since his victory in Rochester.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will play with McIlroy on the PGA Tour side. Schaeffler just wrapped up a great 2024 season with another victory at the Hero World Challenge. He won a total of nine championships, including come-from-behind wins at The Players and the Olympics. He also fended off a number of rivals around Amen Corner en route to his second Green Jacket in April. Schaeffler added four signature event titles to his trophy room, further cementing his status as the best player in the world. No wonder some people compare him to Tiger Woods.
The showdown promises to be an interesting event, an event that shows just how desperate these players are for golf's great divide to end peacefully. Fans want it, too, because they're the only ones who get to see the stars of the PGA Tour and LIV golf play together in four majors. This event is an exception to that, serving as the perfect made-for-TV event in a typical blind spot on the golf calendar.
Tournament information
course: Shadow Creek Golf Course, Las Vegas, NV
Yards/Par: 7,560 yards, par 72
Architect: Greg Norman
Wallet/1st place: Over $1 million in virtual currency
format: Holes 1-6 (Fourballs), Holes 7-12 (Foursomes), Holes 13-18 (Singles)
odds
Pre-tournament odds provided for players to win: fan duel:
Schaeffler/McIlroy -148
DeChambeau/Keopka +122
How to watch
Turner Sports will provide live coverage of The Showdown, which is also available to stream on HBO MAX in the US.
Tuesday, December 17th: 6-11pm ET (TNT/TBS/truTV)
“The Showdown” broadcast team includes 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman, who covers the PGA Tour, Masters and PGA Championship for CBS Sports, and David Immelman, a former NBC Sports broadcaster who now works at LIV. Feherty, two-time Masters winner David Feherty. Bubba Watson and perhaps Turner Sports' most famous announcer, Charles Barkley. Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Ernie Johnson will host the television broadcast.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
