‘The Showdown’ is billed as an exhibition match. But that’s just on paper. Pitting the Scottie Scheffler-Rory McIlroy pairing against Brooks Koepka-Bryson DeChambeau carries significance. And LIV Golf captains are in no mode to let it go without a jab or two.

Scottie Scheffler is ranked world no. 1, Rory McIlroy is third, Bryson DeChambeau is ranked 9th, and Brooks Koepka is ranked 68th. Of course, that’s because LIV Golf tournaments don’t receive any world ranking points. “Hmm, I guess we’re the underdogs,” Bryson DeChambeau tweeted with a screenshot of the OWGR table, tagging Brooks Koepka. 

In between, they have seven majors to the PGA Tour pairing’s six. DeChambeau had three top-tens in majors this season. Koepka won twice this year in LIV Golf. His last major came in 2023 when he became the first LIV golfer to do so. The five-time major winner replied, “Always been (smiling face with sunglasses emoji).” Ironically, Brooks Koepka slipped three spots since DeChambeau tweeted.

Both DeChambeau and Koepka have been vocal critics of OWGR’s decision. In 2022, Koepka said, “I just hate when you sit on the fence. Just pick a side. If it’s yes or no, just pick one. So I’m not a big fan of that.” The OWGR board comprised representatives from all four major organizers. They considered the team format inconsistent with the guidelines set by OWGR that offer points in other stroke play events.

Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning US Open winner, has toned down his attack a bit. “It’s disappointing, but I understand the decisions I made, and the way things have played out has not been necessarily perfectly according to plan. I realize and respect where the current situation of the game is, albeit it’s frustrating and disappointing,” the Crushers captain said after rising to the 10th spot with his 2024 US Open triumph. 

Earlier this year, Greg Norman, LIV Golf’s CEO and Commissioner, withdrew its bid for ranking points. LIV golfers have called for a direct pathway to majors via the league’s own season-long standings. USGA CEO Mike Whan admitted unless a merger is happening soon, they might look to create a direct pathway for the players on the Saudi-backed circuit. Nevertheless, before all the sides come together in some sort of agreement, The Showdown offers a high-octane match between two PGA Tour pros and two LIV golfers.

What we know about ‘The Showdown’ so far

Besides being a PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf match, it also pits Rory McIlroy against Bryson DeChambeau again. The two locked horns at Pinehurst, but McIlroy failed to convert after missing two putts inside four feet, handing DeChambeau his second US Open victory. 

The Ulsterman, a vocal supporter of the merger, has clarified that he was not trying to send a message through ‘The Showdown’. “I wouldn’t say it’s meant to send a message. It’s more we wanted to do something that, I guess, all golf fans could get excited about,” the four-time major winner said. Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, has waxed lyrical about Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. 

“Brooks [Koepka] has five major championships — five, six? Five. That’s a pretty cool record for him. He’s had a great career. He’s a guy I love competing against. You’ve got Bryson, with all his stuff, I think he’s a fun guy to be around. It definitely interested me, and the way things fell together, it seemed to work out nice. It seems like a fun deal,” the world no. 1 said. 

It would be fun, no doubt. But expect some fireworks on the course. There will be banter galore. The Showdown will be hosted at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas on December 17.