McIlroy to play in exhibition against LIV golfers

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are to take part in an exhibition event against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas on 17 December.

The 18-hole challenge will pit two of the top-ranked PGA Tour players against two of the leading names from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, with organisers of the made-for-television event now confirming the location and date.

The details of the contest, which is being billed as 'The Showdown', were announced against a backdrop of ongoing talks between the PGA Tour and LIV's backers, the Saudi Arabian Investment Fund (PIF) about a possible merger.

The format of the competition has yet to be finalised.

Shadow Creek Golf Course previously hosted the first version of 'The Match', the predecessor to 'The Showdown', between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

World number one Scheffler has won eight events this year, including the Masters at Augusta in April and the Olympic gold medal in Paris, while four-time major winner McIlroy has secured successes in the Dubai Desert Classic, Zurich Classic of New Orleans and the Wells Fargo Championship during 2024.

McIlroy also finished second in the US Open and the Irish Open, and tied for runner-up spot at the PGA Championship at Wentworth.

DeChambeau edged out world number three McIlroy to take victory at the US Open at Pinehurst in June and Koepka is a five-time major winner.

With LIV golfers banned from participating in PGA Tour events, major championships have provided the only opportunity for all the sport's best players to compete against each other in recent years.

Consequently, LIV golfers have limited opportunity to earn ranking points.