PGA-LIV Vegas match to feature $17 million crypto purse

PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf: Crypto-Fueled Showdown Promises $17 Million Prize Purse

In an unprecedented crossover event, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are teaming up for a high-stakes, made-for-television match next month. Dubbed the Crypto.com Showdown, this 18-hole event will feature four of golf’s biggest stars: PGA stalwarts Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy squaring off against LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. The competition is set to take place at the prestigious Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas and boasts a prize pool worth at least $17 million in cryptocurrency.

Crypto Prize Pool: A First for Golf

The purse, which dwarfs most PGA Tour event payouts, will be awarded in CRO cryptocurrency, the native token of Crypto.com. While the exact split between the winning and losing teams has not been disclosed, the amount is significant compared to traditional payouts in the sport. For context, regular PGA Tour tournaments usually offer prize pools in the $14–15 million range, with the winner typically taking home around $1.7 million.

In addition to making history as one of the richest single-day golf events, the Crypto.com Showdown introduces cryptocurrency as the medium for prize distribution. According to Steve Kalifowitz, Chief Marketing Officer of Crypto.com, all four players will need to create Crypto.com accounts to receive their winnings. However, they are not required to retain the cryptocurrency and can choose to sell or trade their earnings if they wish.

A Ryder Cup-Style Format

The match is set to follow a Ryder Cup-style format, including rounds of four-ball, singles, and alternate shot. This ensures a dynamic and engaging viewing experience for fans as two of the sport’s biggest rivalries—Scheffler vs. Koepka and McIlroy vs. DeChambeau—take center stage.

The stakes are high not just in terms of money but also pride, as this contest will serve as another chapter in the ongoing saga between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The tension between the two organizations has been a focal point in professional golf since LIV Golf’s emergence as a disruptive force, luring several big-name players away from the PGA Tour.

Golf Meets Showbiz

The Crypto.com Showdown recalls the legacy of other high-profile, made-for-TV golf matches. Notably, Phil Mickelson defeated Tiger Woods in the inaugural edition of “The Match” in 2018, walking away with a $15 million prize. This latest event promises to up the ante by offering a larger purse and leveraging cryptocurrency’s appeal to a younger, tech-savvy audience.

Recent Performance Highlights

Among the competitors, Rory McIlroy has had a standout year, winning $4 million in February after defeating Max Homa, Rose Zhang, and Lexi Thompson. Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka remains a dominant force in LIV Golf, and Bryson DeChambeau has continued to draw attention for his power game and polarizing personality.

Bridging Two Worlds

The Crypto.com Showdown underscores the evolving relationship between traditional sports and emerging technologies. By incorporating cryptocurrency into its prize structure, the event is not only pushing boundaries within golf but also aligning the sport with broader trends in digital finance and fan engagement.

For fans, the event promises an exhilarating mix of world-class golf, dramatic rivalries, and the intrigue of cryptocurrency—marking a bold new chapter for the sport.