A highly anticipated face-off between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is taking place tonight as Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy compete against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in “The Showdown,” airing on TNT.

The match promises to be full of surprises with this dynamic group on the course. Added excitement stems from the unique format and a prize pool that stands out as unusual.

Stay tuned for the most recent updates from North Las Vegas, along with information on how to watch.

McIlroy Scores Birdie to Secure First Hole for PGA Tour

After both teams made par on the opening hole, McIlroy faced the pressure to clinch the first hole for the PGA Tour. While he isn’t typically known for clutch performances, he delivered by sinking a crucial putt to give his team an early advantage.

It’s worth noting that only the first six holes will follow match play rules. The subsequent six will utilize an alternating shot format, while the final six will feature individual play.

LIV Golfers Miss the Green

After Scheffler was the only member to miss the fairway from the tee, the PGA Tour team rebounded nicely, both players finding the green with their second shots.

The same cannot be said for the LIV duo; Koepka overshot the green and landed in the rough, while DeChambeau fell short.

Scheffler/McIlroy Start the Match

A coin toss determined that the PGA Tour pair of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy would tee off first.

Scheffler took the opening shot and sent an iron into the right-side rough, just off the fairway. Shadow Creek Golf Course is known for its narrow layout, suggesting that more shots from the dense areas are likely as the match progresses.

Notably, Scheffler was the only player to miss the fairway off the first tee.

Timing for The Showdown Golf Match

The Showdown event will be shown on TNT, with coverage beginning at 6 p.m. The exact tee-off time is yet to be disclosed.

Watching The Showdown via TV and Streaming

• Date: Tuesday, Dec. 17
• Time: 6 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT
• Streaming: MAX, Sling
• Location: Shadow Creek Golf Course, North Las Vegas, Nevada

Check out The Showdown on TNT with your Sling subscription

Participants in The Showdown

Bryson DeChambeau, the 2024 U.S. Open champion, pairs with Brooks Koepka, a five-time major winner, to represent LIV Golf. In contrast, the PGA Tour’s team comprises 2024 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and four-time major champion Rory McIlroy.

Scheffler has achieved victories in the 2022 and 2024 Masters and holds the No. 1 spot in the world rankings. Meanwhile, McIlroy is ranked No. 3 and has clinched the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, the U.S. Open in 2011, and the British Open in 2014.

DeChambeau captured the U.S. Open earlier this year after first winning it in 2020. Koepka has claimed the PGA Championship three times (2018, 2019, and 2023) and the U.S. Open twice (2017 and 2018). However, DeChambeau and Koepka may face a significant challenge, as they currently rank 10th and 86th, respectively.

TNT’s Announcing Team for The Showdown Broadcast

This event will be filled with energy as TNT enlists well-known personalities from “Inside the NBA.” Ernie Johnson will partner with Charles Barkley to provide play-by-play commentary. For on-course insights, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson will join Lauren Jbara. The broadcast will also feature contributions from experts Trevor Immelman and David Feherty.

The Showdown Odds: Betting Lines for the Golf Match

Odds as per DraftKings.

• Scottie Scheffler/Rory McIlroy: (-155)
• Bryson DeChambeau/Brooks Koepka: (+125)

The Showdown Match: Expert Predictions and Picks

Golfweek: Scheffler/McIlroy: -155

Riley Hamel remarks, “This choice is straightforward: one team features Scottie Scheffler, and the other does not. He is currently unmatched compared to other golfers globally and is highly competitive. It’s hard to picture Scheffler and McIlroy losing this match, but given it’s Vegas — anything can occur.”

Kristopher Knox states, “Although McIlroy has had variable performance this year, he is still ranked third in the World Golf Rankings. DeChambeau and Koepka are elite players with major victories. However, it’s difficult to foresee anyone toppling Scheffler, even in a team event.”

Iain MacMillan states, “I’m favoring the top contenders in the Showdown primarily because of their recent performances. Both Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are coming off wins leading up to Tuesday’s match. McIlroy triumphed at the DP World Tour Championship last month, while Scottie Scheffler secured his ninth win of 2024 by winning the Hero World Challenge. As the world’s top-ranked golfer, Scheffler showed remarkable improvement in his putting, thanks to his new claw grip, delivering his best putting stats of the year. If he maintains this level of putting, he could become nearly unbeatable.”

What time does The Showdown start?

According to TNT, the event is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET. However, the broadcast may include commentary or previews before the golfing action kicks off shortly after it starts.

What is the format for The Showdown?

Unlike the typical 12-hole format of The Match, this competition between PGA Tour and LIV will feature a full 18 holes. These holes are split into three segments of six: the first six will be played as best ball, holes 7-12 will use an alternate shot format, and the final six holes will be played as singles matches.

What is the prize money for The Showdown winners?

A staggering $10 million is available as prize money, as reported by Front Office Sports last month. Interestingly, this money will be awarded to the golfers in cryptocurrency.

According to a press release from the title sponsor Crypto.com, the event will mark “the first major golf tournament to offer a multimillion-dollar purse paid in CRO cryptocurrency.” (CRO refers to Cronos, which is Crypto.com’s primary cryptocurrency, based in Singapore.) — Tom Schad

Where is The Showdown held?

The Showdown will take place at the stunning Shadow Creek Golf Course located in North Las Vegas, Nevada. It is recognized as the top public access course in the state by Golfweek.

How does Shadow Creek rank among courses?

The Showdown highlights one of Tom Fazio’s esteemed designs, Shadow Creek in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

Fazio has been a highly influential and successful golf course designer over the past 65 years, either designing or renovating 47 courses featured in Golfweek’s Best modern courses in the United States. His exceptional work spans the country, showcasing his versatility and commitment to creating stunning holes, such as those found at Shadow Creek.

According to Golfweek, Shadow Creek ranks among Fazio’s top 20 traditional U.S. courses, sitting at No. 2 on their Best rater list.