The Open Championship is the ultimate sanctioned occasion 2024 that can see the PGA Tour compete towards LIV Golf. There may be nonetheless the Olympics, however their tour affiliation doesn’t matter because it does in a significant.
The PGA Tour received 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 remaining 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 have a look at each side’ performances this yr to see which facet is healthier 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 yr.
Scheffler has six wins, together with profitable the Masters in April and 4 of the eight Signature Occasions. He additionally received the Gamers in March.
To not point out, he has two runner-up finishes, 13 high 10s and 14 Prime 25s. Scheffler has not missed a reduce 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 Prime 25 no less than.
The previous Texas Longhorn’s final begin got here on the Vacationers Championship when he received 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 quite a lot of hype surrounding him.
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Photograph by Andrew Redington/Getty Photos
As for his accomplice, McIlroy has additionally had a profitable season. He’s presently the No. 3 participant on the earth and has two victories in 2024. McIlroy and Shane Lowry received the Zurich Basic of New Orleans. Then, the Northern Irishman took residence 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 vogue. He missed two quick putts down the stretch, which triggered 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 received 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 have a look at the LIV Golf group.
The LIV Golf facet: DeChambeau and Kopeka
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Photograph by Scott Taetsch/PGA of America by way of Getty Photos
Coming into the Open, DeChambeau’s final take a look at towards 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. Total, he has six high 10s in 10 begins. DeChambeau continues 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 received the Singapore occasion and has 4 top-10s. Whereas he did win on the Saudi-backed Tour in 2024, it has not been one of the best yr.
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 exhausting determination 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 effective decide. One in every of these 4 can get sizzling and take over the match any week.
Which facet would you select?
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. 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.
