Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler announces their teams for the OPTUM Golf Channel games

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will go head-to-head in the Optum Golf Channel Games, on Wednesday, December 17, at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida. Both will captain four-man teams in the primetime event which will air on Golf Channel and USA Network.

Rory McIlroy’s team includes Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry, Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and DP World Tour winner Haotong Li. Scottie Scheffler will be joined by 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, five-time PGA Tour winner Sam Burns, and rising rookie Luke Clanton.

Speaking ahead of the event, Scottie Scheffler said the Golf Channel Games would offer fans a different take on competition.

“The 'Golf Channel Games' will be a great mix of skill, strategy and pressure. This will be a brand new way for the players and the fans to experience the game of golf. Everyone knows how competitive we are and I think the 'Golf Channel Games' will be an innovative competition that will engage the viewers. I’m excited to be a part of this” he said.

Rory McIlroy added that the event is like a scouting combine for golfers.

“The 'Golf Channel Games' bring a fresh approach to golf, inspired by events like the NFL Combine and all-star games from top professional leagues,” McIlroy explained. “They give players the chance to showcase their skills across unique challenges and offer fans a new way to enjoy the game in the postseason. I am looking forward to competing in this new, fun format.”

The event will not follow a traditional tournament format. Players will face a series of timed and skill-based challenges, including a drive contest, a short-game test and a 14-club challenge, among others.

What is the format of Team Rory McIlroy vs. Team Scottie Scheffler in the Golf Channel Games?

The Optum Golf Channel Games at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter will feature five challenges designed to test different aspects of golf. The action starts with a timed drive contest, where players go head-to-head and have two minutes to hit as many drives as possible onto a scoring grid. This is followed by the short-game challenge, which focuses on chipping and putting, with each player trying to complete as many successful shots as they can within three minutes.

The 14-club challenge will see two teammates sharing one bag and alternating shots in a closest-to-the-pin contest. Once a club is used, it is removed, forcing each player to hit seven different shots using all 14 clubs. Teams will also take part in a timed shootout, with four players assigned positions on the tee, fairway, and around the greens. The goal is to finish three holes with the lowest score in the shortest time.

The event concludes with a captain’s challenge, pitting Rory McIlroy against Scottie Scheffler. Both will hit from various distances, bunkers and greenside positions, with the winner determined by who finishes closest to the holes overall.

Edited by Sonali Verma