• The Showdown features PGA Tour stalwarts Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy versus LIV’s Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka
• The PGA Tour duo are the -150 favorites to beat the LIV pairing in the 18-hole match
• See The Showdown odds and format along with a best bets for Tuesday, December 17th, at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, NV

It seemed implausible a few short years ago, but despite the previous PGA Tour-LIV Golf acrimony, stars from both tours are linking up for an 18-hole match at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas, the same site as the first iteration of ‘The Match’ in 2018 between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. It’ll feature 18 holes, but in three different six-hole formats – best ball, alternate shot, then singles. Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler team up to face the prodigious duo of Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. Just years ago, the latter pair were very much at odds with each other, but they’ve mended fences and now are teaming together. Interestingly, the payout will be in cryptocurrency (CRO Cronus, the native token of crypto.com). Reportedly, it’s up to at least $10 million in cryptocurrency with a set appearance fee.

The Showdown Odds

Both Bryson and Brooks had a duel in ‘The Match’ series in 2021, while Rory has competed in two matches, and this will be Scottie’s first battle. It can be watched on TNT, TBS and truTV at 6pm ET Tuesday, December 17th. 

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Rory McIlroy’s Feelings Softened Over Time

As mentioned, it would’ve seemed impossible years ago for a match between PGA Tour players and LIV golfers, given that Rory McIlroy was so staunchly against the start-up league that has fractured the game. However, he now sees this as an opportunity for a “goodwill event” to energize the fans and heal the feud between the two circuits that has gone on long enough.

#NEW: Rory McIlroy says it took ‘a few conversation’ before the PGA TOUR granted him a media release to play with Scottie in ‘The Showdown’ vs. LIV Golfers Brooks & Bryson. @TrackingRory

“It took a few conversations to get them to the point where they saw this could be a… pic.twitter.com/ykzrK8UuTD

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) December 12, 2024

McIlroy’s partner is Scheffler, who won his last tournament at the Hero World Challenge by six strokes. That was his ninth victory in 2024 to conclude an absolutely dominant season. Given that he’s been so amazing, it’s no surprise that he and Rory are the favorites for this match.

Insane stats from Scottie Scheffler’s historic season

First to win THE PLAYERS, Masters and TOUR Championship in a season

First since Tiger to win Player of the Year three times in a row

Best scoring average in a single season on record (68.01)

Third player… pic.twitter.com/wNM7p2TU2y

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 11, 2024

DeChambeau/Koepka A Force To Be Reckoned With

Lest anyone think that this will be a walk in the park for the Rory/Scheffler duo, they’re up against ‘The Mad Scientist’ Bryson DeChambeau, who won his second U.S. Open this year, and Brooks Koepka, who has five major titles to his credit and almost always rises to the occasion.

#NEW: Brooks Koepka admits he was wrong about Bryson DeChambeau: “Look, we all get older, we all mature a little bit, and then you realize, hey, Bryson’s a good dude. I think he’s severely misunderstood and I think the world is actually starting to really see who Bryson… pic.twitter.com/gSm4Tw4gJp

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) December 10, 2024

The first three majors of 2024 saw Bryson go T-6th, runner-up, and win. Brooks was victorious twice on LIV this season, tying Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann for most on the campaign.

The Showdown Pick

Going against Scheffler in any fashion is always a very risky proposition, one that will more often than not result in banging your head against the wall. Not only did he win his last event, but in his partner Rory’s last tournament, he emerged in top spot to claim the DP World Tour Championship. That resulted in him capturing the Race to Dubai for the sixth time, matching legend Seve Ballesteros.

A few years back, there would have been a far bigger chip on the shoulder of the LIV players as they were seeking legitimacy in the World Golf Rankings. Now, with tensions far more subdued, it’s not as much of a big deal. Selecting Scheffler to win anything is usually the more profitable choice, so I’ll go with his tandem.

Pick: Scheffler/McIlroy To Win The Showdown (-150)

The post The Showdown: Scheffler/McIlroy vs DeChambeau/Koepka Odds, Picks & Predictions appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.