Rory McIlroy's true motivation for being part of PGA Tour vs LIV Golf match

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will team up against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka (Image: Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy has revealed his motivation ahead of a much-anticipated PGA Tour vs LIV Golf clash. Golf fans will be treated to a star-studded face-off as McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler challenge Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in a Las Vegas showdown.

Scheduled for mid-December, the televised event will see two of the PGA Tour's finest - McIlroy and Scheffler - take on LIV Golf's most prominent duo. In recent times, McIlroy and Scheffler have only squared off with DeChambeau and Koepka at major tournaments. Earlier this year, DeChambeau clinched his second US Open title at Pinehurst in June after taking advantage of late collapse from McIlroy.

The Northern Irishman, who has been vocal supporter of the PGA Tour amid the rise of LIV, insists the unique match is crafted with the audience in mind, declaring: "It's an event designed to energise the fans."

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Speaking to Golfweek, he said: "I'm thrilled to partner with Scottie in what promises to be an exciting duel against Bryson and Brooks in Vegas this December.

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"This isn't just a contest between some of golf's major champions, it's an event designed to energise the fans. We're all here to put on a great show and contribute to a goodwill event that brings the best together again."

This match, which offers appearance fees instead of prize money to the players, could be a step towards a possible merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, with talks ongoing. At the recent Tour Championship in Atlanta, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan gave an update on negotiations, saying: "We're moving forward at speed and focused on what we can control, because that's what we owe to our fans."

Rory McIlroy signs autographs at the Tour Championship (Image: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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DeChambeau and Koepka are set to put aside their well-documented tensions as they join forces in Las Vegas. The duo's rivalry reached fever pitch back in 2021 with a series of public spats across social media, although they appear to have buried the hatchet in recent years.

It's been a year of contrasting fortunes for the PGA team members. Scheffler celebrated his second Masters victory and won the Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup. As well as his Pinehurst meltdown, McIlroy failed to make the cut at the Open Championship while the 35-year-old has also had off-course issues, calling off divorce proceedings with wife Erica Stroll in June.

Meanwhile, the protracted merger discussions between the PGA and LIV's backers have left golf fans exasperated. However, it is clear through players like McIlroy that there remain influential figures who have followers of the sport at heart.

Rory McIlroy's true motivation for being part of PGA Tour vs LIV Golf match

Rory McIlroy's true motivation for being part of PGA Tour vs LIV Golf match

Rory McIlroy's true motivation for being part of PGA Tour vs LIV Golf match

Rory McIlroy's true motivation for being part of PGA Tour vs LIV Golf match

Rory McIlroy's true motivation for being part of PGA Tour vs LIV Golf match