The Showdown Turns Into A Letdown.

11 months ago by Comments Off on The Showdown Turns Into A Letdown.

For all its pre-match hype the much-anticipated ‘The Showdown’ between two of the PGA Tour’s best against two rival LIV Golf stars ended with little fanfare, little excitement and resulting in a one-sided letdown.

It was first in meen’s professional golf with two of the PGA Tour’s best players in Scheffler and McIlroy up against two of the best LIV Golf stars in Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau at the Shadow Creek course outside of Las Vegas.

There really just one moment of golfing brilliance while the location and the event played under lights did little to brighten the present state of the men’s professional game.

Firstly, the location.  As someone pointed out why it was not staged with players wearing shorts in the warmth and with the stunning backdrop of the Hawaiian Islands rather than a dreary-looking winter-gripped Las Vegas countryside beggars belief.  An early afternoon start in Hawaii also would have worked well in delivering TV coverage to the eastern states of the US.

 


All that ‘The Showdown’ delivered was a $5m ‘cypto’ smile each to the faces Scheffler and McIlroy who between them earned around $90m in on-course prize-money and off course bonuses this past 2024 season.

The chilly December conditions were obvious from the outset with DeChambeau decked out in an oversized puffer jacket while Scheffler had the hood of his Nike top over his head to keep warm.

The closing 10 holes were held under lights and with spectators in near complete darkness, thus hardly lighting-up the full beauty of the course where the public has to play around $500 for a tee-time.

As well, the match was all over at the 16th hole with the PGA Tour duo white-washing the rivals, leading from start-to-finish to easily seize bragging rights over their LIV rivals.

The fact that both Scheffler and McIlroy were coming off recent victories was clearly obvious while their LIV Golf rivals had not teed-up in formal competition since late September and the closing event of the LIV season.

The format was one point for a six-hole fourballs match, one point for a six-hole foursomes match and one point each for singles over the last six holes.

McIlroy came out firing birdieing the opening two holes before delivering the shot of the match in holing a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 fourth hole only for DeChambeau to then hopelessly miss his closer eagle attempt and for the PGA Tour side to win in four holes.

Holes seven to 12 called for a foursomes format and the match looked very much headed for a draw until DeChambeau sent his long birdie putt at the last 10 past the cut, and with Koepka handing the PGA Tour victory in missing the return putt for bogey.

The closing singles showdown over holes 13 to 18 at Shadow Creek was all wrapped-up by the PGA Tour duo winning at the 16th.

At the presentation, all four players stood side-by-side and while Scheffler and McIlroy each admiring their reward while Koepka and DeChambeau simply looked-on.

Victory to the PGA Tour – Scheffler and McIlroy congratulate each other following the success in The Countdown. (Image Getty)

McIlroy, and coming off a week playing golf in New Zealand and having been ‘put down’ by DeChambeau a day prior The Showdown, said: “We’re super happy to get the win. It’s a nice way to finish the year.

“Scottie and I got off to a pretty good start and then from there it was just about trying to keep the momentum.”

Reigning US Open champ DeChambeau was asked his thoughts: “I’d love to have another opportunity.  It was a bit of a pillow fight for us.”

Whether or not ‘The Showdown’ adds to a continuing thawing in the men’s pro game remains to be seen.

Though if there is to be a repeat of ‘The Showdown’ it surely cannot be in the chilly, winter darkness of Las Vegas.

For the Record:

The Crypto.com Showdown, Shadow Creek, Las Vegas – Tuesday 17th December, 2024

Scoring (6 hole matches)

Fourballs: McIlroy/Scheffler beat DeChambeau/Koepka 3&2

Foursomes: McIlroy/Scheffler beat DeChambeau/Koepka 1 up

Singles: McIlroy 1 up v DeChambeau after 4 Scheffler 2 up v Koepka with 2 to play.

 



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