The Crypto.com Showdown kicks off this week in Las Vegas, pitting four of the world's best players against each other over 18 holes on the most expensive green fee course in the United States.
For fans, it will be a brief opportunity to watch the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League unofficially combine, potentially giving them a glimpse into the future of men's professional golf.
Behind-the-scenes discussions about a potential merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf League continue, but at the time of writing, there is still no end in sight.
At the same time, the match, which will be exclusively televised, will also remind fans and stakeholders what they have been missing out on since the PIF-backed tour went online in 2022.
Ahead of Tuesday night's Showdown, here's everything you need to know – including the format, who's involved and what the winner will get…
Who's dueling?
This matchup will be composed of Scotty Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. The PGA Tour's Scheffler and McIlroy will face off against LIV's DeChambeau and Koepka.
Scheffler was named PGA Tour Player of the Year after a remarkable nine-win season, while McIlroy ended the year with his sixth DP World Tour money title and four wins.
DeChambeau and Koepka may not have won the LIV Golf Championship — that special honor belongs to Jon Rahm — but they have both tasted major glory since entering the 54-hole tournament and remain the only men to do so. A distinguished duo.
Showdown format
The final format will include 18 holes of match play in three different styles of golf.
The first six holes will consist of four-ball matches, and the middle third of the match will feature foursomes with alternating shots, with one teammate teeing off on the odd-numbered holes and the other teeing off on the even-numbered holes.
The final six holes will be singles competition, although the individual matches have not yet been announced. Many expect McIlroy to face off against DeChambeau, with the two reliving their thrilling indirect showdown at the U.S. Open in June.
Holes 1-6: Four ball holes – Each golfer plays his or her own ball, and the teammate with the lower score on the hole contributes their team's score.
Holes 7-12: Foursomes – Each team plays a ball, and teammates take turns hitting the ball until the ball goes into the hole. One teammate will tee off on the odd-numbered hole; one teammate will tee off on the odd-numbered hole. Another player on an even number.
Holes 13-18: Singles – One-on-one matches between players from both sides. The exact format of this section has not yet been announced.
Panoramic view of the fourth hole at Shadow Creek Golf Club
(Image source: Getty Images)
Showdown course
Shadow Creek Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, boasts the most expensive green fees in the country at more than $1,000 and will host “The Showdown” in 2024.
It's an incredibly beautiful place, carved from rugged desert and filled with creeks, ponds, and looming mountains. Shadow Creek's signature hole is the par-3 17th, which requires a shot over the water to a green guarded by bunkers and a waterfall overlooking the green.
The layout has been carefully designed due to relatively low footfall and has previously been used as the stage for Nelly Korda's 2024 T-Mobile Match Play victory over Leona Maguire, as well as Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods' 2018 T-Mobile Match Play victory. in the battlefield. Contest.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson during tournament: Tiger vs. Phil at Shadow Creek
(Image source: Getty Images)
How to watch the showdown
Live television coverage of “The Showdown” will begin on Tuesday, December 17 at 6pm ET on TNT, TBS and truTV. It's also available to stream on MAX in the US. For those unable to attend the live broadcast, event organizers said “a wide range of highlights and content will also be available across Bleacher Report's digital and social platforms.”
The broadcast team for “The Showdown” will include Trevor Immelman, who regularly covers the PGA Tour on NBC, David Feherty, one of LIV Golf's leading voices, and course reporters Bubba Watson and host Ernie Johnson. Charles Barkley also reports.
Bubba Watson performs broadcast duties during 2022 LIV golf season
(Image source: Getty Images)
Showdown Prize Wallet
The “Showdown” prize is believed to be “at least $10 million,” according to multiple reports. The title sponsor has yet to announce specific figures, but Crypto.com revealed that the winner will be rewarded in the form of CRO cryptocurrency amounting to millions of dollars.
Players are under no obligation to keep their winnings, so they can trade or sell their winnings at any time.
