The Open Championship is the ultimate sanctioned occasion 2024 that can see the PGA Tour compete in opposition to LIV Golf. There may be nonetheless the Olympics, however their tour affiliation doesn’t matter because it does in a serious.
The PGA Tour gained the primary two majors in 2024, whereas LIV Golf claimed the newest on the U.S. Open.
That brings the query: Who would you’re taking—the PGA Tour or LIV Golf—for this ultimate main?
Particularly, we paired Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler on the PGA Tour’s facet, with Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Kopeka representing LIV Golf.
Let’s take a look at each side’ performances this 12 months to see which facet is best to root for.
The PGA Tour facet: Scheffler and McIlroy
One of many greatest storylines of 2024 is Scheffler himself. The world’s No. 1 participant has been almost unstoppable all 12 months.
Scheffler has six wins, together with profitable the Masters in April and 4 of the eight Signature Occasions. He additionally gained the Gamers in March.
To not point out, he has two runner-up finishes, 13 high 10s and 14 High 25s. Scheffler has not missed a minimize within the 15 occasions he performed, both.
Scheffler’s worst end got here on the U.S. Open with a T41, which additionally marked the one time he didn’t end contained in the High 25 no less than.
The previous Texas Longhorn’s final begin got here on the Vacationers Championship when he gained for the sixth time earlier than July 1, so he has not performed in three weeks.
No matter that break, Scheffler is available in with a whole lot of hype surrounding him.
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Picture by Andrew Redington/Getty Photographs
As for his accomplice, McIlroy has additionally had a profitable season. He’s at present the No. 3 participant on the planet and has two victories in 2024. McIlroy and Shane Lowry gained the Zurich Basic of New Orleans. Then, the Northern Irishman took dwelling his fourth Wells Fargo Championship the next week to earn his twenty sixth profession win.
Main as much as the Open, McIlroy completed solo second on the U.S. Open, nevertheless it occurred in heartbreaking style. He missed two brief putts down the stretch, which induced him to fall to DeChambeau.
After a break, McIlroy returned final week on the Genesis Scottish Open and contended. He completed T4 and shot 4 rounds within the 60s.
McIlroy gained the Claret Jug in 2014. Scheffler’s finest end within the oldest main was a T8 in his debut in 2021.
The PGA Tour has a powerful argument with the quantity of success they’ve had in 2024.
Earlier than we resolve, although, let’s take a look at the LIV Golf workforce.
The LIV Golf facet: DeChambeau and Kopeka
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Picture by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America through Getty Photographs
Coming into the Open, DeChambeau’s final check in opposition to the PGA Tour noticed him win his second U.S. Open. He additionally completed T6 on the Masters and solo second on the PGA Championship.
In LIV Golf occasions, the Crusher GC captain’s finest end got here at LIV Nashville when he was third. General, he has six high 10s in 10 begins. DeChambeau remains to be on the hunt for his first victory of 2024 on LIV.
Koepka has not had as a lot success within the majors as he did in 2023. He completed T45 in Augusta, T26 on the PGA Championship and T26 on the U.S. Open.
In LIV Golf occasions, Koepka gained the Singapore occasion and has 4 top-10s. Whereas he did win on the Saudi-backed Tour in 2024, it has not been the most effective 12 months.
In earlier Open Championships, DeChambeau’s finest end got here in 2022 with a T8, whereas Koepka’s got here in 2019 with a T4. He additionally has a few T6’s in 2021 and 2017.
These two are tremendous aggressive, so whereas they don’t have as many victories in 2024 because the PGA tour does, they’re nonetheless a formidable selection.
It’s a laborious resolution as a result of all 4 gamers are extremely proficient and will win any week.
For the sake of this Open week, we’re going with the PGA Tour, however both facet is an efficient choose. One in every of these 4 can get scorching and take over the event any week.
Which facet would you select?
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. It’s also possible to comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
