Rory McIlroy hopes PGA-LIV match is ‘sign of things to come’ 

If anything is to shape the future of men’s professional golf, it could be a tour grudge match. 

At least that is what Rory McIlroy hopes. 

It was announced last week that the Northern Irishman will team up with Scottie Scheffler and go head-to-head with two LIV Golf rivals. 

Bryson DeChambeau – the man who conquered McIlroy at Pinehurst in June – and five-time major champion Brooks Koepka are said opponents. 

While the match doesn’t have an official date, it will take place in mid-December in Las Vegas. 

And from the other side of the world, at Royal County Down, the 35-year-old has explained why the quartet backed the idea. 

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“I wouldn’t say it’s meant to send a message,” McIlroy began. “It’s more we wanted to do something that, I guess, all golf fans could get excited about.  

“You’ve got the best player in the world. You’ve got two guys in Bryson and Brooks that have won majors in the last two years. You’ve got me in there who – I haven’t done what those guys have done the last couple years, but I’ve definitely been, I feel, one of the best players in the world.  

“It’s a way to show golf fans that this is what could happen, or these are the possibilities going forward. 

“I’ve been saying this for a long time, I think golf and golf fans should get to see us together more than four times a year, that’s what we’ve tried to do.  

“It’s in the middle of December, so there’s not a lot going on in the game of golf. So [it’s about] trying to get people excited about something before the season starts again.  

“We all thought it was a good idea and that hopefully is a sign of things to come in the future.” 

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McIlroy played no part in talks between the warring sides, which renewed in New York yesterday. 

Tiger Woods was a member of a PGA Tour delegation which met with members of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). 

“It’s certainly peculiar timing,” McIlroy said of the meetings, as America pauses to remember the victims of the 9/11 tragedy. 

“I don’t know much about the talks that are going on. I know that there is but that’s not something that I’m a part of. 

“I think [everyone] in the game of golf is trying to look for a solution to all this and try to move forward.  

“So, we’ll see. I know as much as you do at this point, and I’m sure news will start to trickle out here in the next few days.” 

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.