Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka hope next week’s ‘showdown’ with Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler marks the first step toward a PGA Tour vs LIV Golf Ryder Cup next year.
‘The Crypto.com Showdown’ includes a prize of $10 million in cryptocurrencies. It is billed as an unofficial LIV vs PGA Tour clash and there are plans to bring these matches around the world in the coming years.
Earlier this week, claimed reports Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is close to reaching a deal to acquire a minority stake in PGA Tour Enterprises.
But talks about a possible merger between the rival tours have dragged on since a “framework agreement” was announced in June 2023.
Both Koepka and DeChambeau want more opportunities to face the PGA Tour’s biggest names, outside of the four major championships, and hope next week’s clash will lead to bigger team events before long.
Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka are two of the biggest names in LIV Golf
Rory McIlroy will team up with Scottie Scheffler to face DeChambeau and Koepka
“The Showdown is a great showcase to bring the two tours together a little bit,” DeChambeau said.
“I think what we’re going to do next year, all of us lined up, is bring in something a little bit bigger and worse… where we can see most of the best players from both sides competing more with each other.
Koepka added: ‘Let’s face it. Wouldn’t you like to see a LIV vs. PGA, Ryder Cup style?
‘This is what it is. This (can) turn into something big. And I think that’s what would attract fans.”
Currently, in the Ryder Cup, the best players in Europe face the best in the United States. Next week, Scheffler, world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion McIlroy will face five-time Grand Slam winner Koepka and reigning US Open winner DeChambeau at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.
But there are plans to take these matches around the world and bring in other players from both tours.
“A Ryder Cup-style LIV vs. PGA tour (match), that’s something I’m really excited about from a business perspective,” DeChambeau said.
“I think it’s time for the two tours to have a battle of the best… if we can create something special for the future, something that will last and leave a good impact on the game of golf.
The event, on December 17 in Las Vegas, will be called Crypto.com Showdown
‘That’s what I hope comes out of this event. “These are certainly some of the ideas that we have talked about and that we want to create in the future.”
When asked if these exhibits – or a permanent merger – is the ultimate goal, Koepka insisted: “It’s whatever I think we want it to be. That’s the cool part.
“I’d love for this to transcend into some kind of Ryder Cup feeling… that would obviously be amazing.”
He added: “And fans would tune in to that because… I feel like that could really bring everyone together again to watch golf.”