Will the LIV-PGA Tour Showdown work?

Verify in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular matters within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we talk about The Showdown, Scottie Scheffler’s 2025 prospects, Tiger Woods’ reappearance and extra.

The Crypto.com Showdown kicks off on Tuesday when Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka tackle Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas. Why does this one have the promise to be the perfect made-for-TV match but — and why would possibly it flop?

Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): Generally the golf can take a backseat in these matches (and, for what it’s price, I’ve been recreation to observe ’em each time), however right here the emphasis is squarely on the golf, and that’s an excellent factor. They’ve obtained 4 appointment-viewing golfers. They’ve obtained LIV vs. the PGA Tour. If they simply play and don’t attempt too exhausting, this must be terrific. As for why it would flop? It’s soccer season. Throughout soccer season there’s not a lot oxygen left for another sport.

Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): Par gained’t do a lot good right here so will probably be 4 of the perfect within the recreation enjoying no-holds-barred, birdie-or-bust golf. That makes for first rate leisure, particularly with the LIV vs Tour overlay. Pretty or not, many will take it as a measuring stick of the rival excursions. Dylan is true. Soccer season is hard competitors. However scores apart, it could possibly be a bust if the banter is as cringe-inducing because it typically will get in these miked-up confections. There’s a motive none of those guys has been requested to host a Comedy Central roast. 

James Colgan, information and options editor (@jamescolgan26): Right here’s the thrilling actuality: It may not stink! And that just about makes it the perfect made-for-TV golf occasion because the Brady/Manning/Tiger/Phil match again in 2020. When you’ve determined to imagine these occasions might be insufferably corny till confirmed in any other case, I believe that’s truthful. However I additionally suppose these are the correct characters competing below the correct construction, to make one thing that may be fulfilling to diehards and casuals alike. That’s adequate for me. 

If Bryson DeChambeau — already the YouTube influencer he’s — is an important piece of this match being successful, which participant is the second-most essential to its success?

Dethier: McIlroy. He’s not the PGA Tour standard-bearer that he was at first of this LIV-Tour rivalry, however he nonetheless strikes the needle as a lot as any non-Tiger-Woods golfer on the planet. There’s not a weak hyperlink right here, although — all people brings one thing.

Sens: Agreed. Any of the 4 is able to placing on a scorching present. However subsequent up after Rory must be Scheffler, the world’s finest participant coming off an epic season, with an opportunity to place yet one more punctuation on his dominance.

Colgan: Scottie is the primary long-term, no-brainer World No. 1 in like, a dozen years, and I’d argue golf’s potential to transform his dominance into viewers is the largest problem dealing with the game after reunification. 

Tiger Woods returns to the course this week for the primary time since July when he’ll staff up along with his son, Charlie, on the PNC Championship in Florida. Will we study something about Woods’ type and well being this week — or ought to we simply sit again and revel in some household golf?

Dethier: We’ll see him swing and we’ll see him stroll and we’ll even see him hit some strain putts! Let’s not get carried away — not by Woods’ type nor by his son’s. However yeah, I believe what we see this week from Woods will give us some form of trace at what to anticipate from his 2025.

Sens: To borrow from Bobby Jones, there are two forms of golf, event golf and hit-and-giggle father-and-son golf, and they don’t seem to be in any respect alike. For one factor, Tiger might be allowed to make use of a cart. You’ll be able to’t do this at Augusta. That’s simply one in every of many the explanation why we shouldn’t use this as a barometer of something greater than what it’s.

Colgan: It’s Tiger enjoying in a televised golf occasion. Can we persuade ourselves we’ve discovered one thing? Clearly sure. We are going to, whether or not we should always or not.

Scottie Scheffler gained PGA Tour Participant of the 12 months honors for a 3rd consecutive season, matching a feat solely completed by Tiger Woods. (Tiger gained 5 in a row as soon as and three in a row one other time.) When you’re Vegas, what are you setting the chances at for Scheffler to make it 4 in a row subsequent season? And who would you give the second-best odds to?

Dethier: Sheesh — it is a good query. Golf is a fickle recreation, even for World No. 1s, however given Scheffler’s dominance you’ll be able to’t go longer than about 2-1 odds. Xander Schauffele is second, with McIlroy only a tick behind him.

Sens: For a short time, it appeared like Scheffler’s putter would possibly undo him. However he straightened that out effectively sufficient. Nor did changing into a father gradual him down, because it has different gamers. I’d put him at near even cash, although Dylan’s proper once more. The following must be Schauffele. Except there’s a sudden truce with LIV, the Excursions merge, and Bryson will get again into the full-time combine.

Colgan: I might make Scottie a prohibitive favourite — possibly even odds. He’s been that good. And no person (sans Schauffele, who simply gained two majors in a single 12 months and STILL misplaced POTY) is especially shut.  

Talking of Scheffler, his famed 2012 GMC Yukon XL (with 184,000 miles on it) has been put up for public sale with a beginning bid of $50,000. Proceeds from the sale will help the Triumph Over Child Most cancers charity. Overlook a inexperienced jacket or claret jug, what random piece of golf memorabilia would you most prefer to get your fingers on?

Dethier: If we’re handing out vehicles I’ll take simply one of many two Genesis whips Will Zalatoris gained at Riviera final 12 months. Or, I dunno. Possibly an previous Prime Flite hat. Good vibes there.

Sens: I’m not a lot of a merch man or a memento collector, and I’ve obtained no romantic attachment to any golf artifacts. But when somebody needs handy me the first-place verify from the FedEx Cup at season’s finish, I’d settle for it.

Colgan: Jim Nantz, for those who’re studying this, please let me get a fingers on a game-used model of a type of candy, candy Winery Vines ties.