The top three seeds have received byes into the semifinals of the 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship, leaving the remaining 10 teams to determine the quarterfinal matchups in a draft on Thursday at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas.

A total purse of $50 million is at stake for the 13 teams participating in the event from Friday through Sunday in the Dallas area. Defending team champion Crushers GC, top seed Legion XIII featuring individual champion Jon Rahm, and the all-Australian Ripper GC will be joined by the five winning teams from Friday in head-to-head matches on Saturday. The four victorious teams on Saturday will advance to an 18-hole stroke play on Sunday.

Brooks Koepka, captain of fourth-seeded Smash GC, had the first draft pick and could have chosen any of the nine other teams as his opponent. Koepka opted for the 13th-seeded Iron Heads GC.

“Just went from the bottom up,” Koepka said. “I think that’s the way we did it. I just felt like we’ve got a good chance. We’ll see what happens.”

After the draft concluded, the teams announced their lineups for the quarterfinals, which consist of two singles matches and one foursome for each team. Each of the three matches is worth one point.

This marks the first time in the three-year history of the event that captains are not required to play singles, but Koepka has chosen to stick with tradition and will face Kevin Na, captain of the Iron Heads.

Na commented on the matchup, saying it was what he anticipated.

“I thought about throwing a curveball in there, but I talked to the guys, and everybody actually wanted to play singles, which is a good sign,” Na said. “I think everybody wants to show what they can do and what they’re capable of.

“I know Brooks is obviously a tough opponent, going against a five-time major champion. But in match play, I’ve taken down some people in match play and I can make a few putts. Hopefully that happens.”

HyFlyers captain Phil Mickelson was among several captains to participate in the foursome for their teams. Mickelson will partner with Brendan Steele against Torque GC, while teammates Andy Ogletree and Cameron Tringale will compete in singles.

“Andy Ogletree won the ‘21 Amateur,” Mickelson explained. “He’s a very tough match-play competitor. Cam Tringale won all his matches last year. I wanted them both in singles. Steeley and I are really annoying to play against. I’m annoying, but when you put me and Steeley together, it goes to another level, and I feel like that could be a challenge just dealing with that.”

Quarterfinals:

• Smash GC vs. Iron Heads GC — Singles: Brooks Koepka (S) vs. Kevin Na (IH); Talor Gooch vs. Danny Lee. Foursome: Jason Kokrak/Graeme McDowell vs. Jinichiro Kozuma/Scott Vincent.
• Torque GC vs. HyFlyers GC — Singles: Joaquin Niemann (T) vs. Andy Ogletree (HF); Sebastian Munoz vs. Cameron Tringale. Foursome: Mito Pereira/Carlos Ortiz vs. Phil Mickelson/Brendan Steele.
• Fireballs GC vs. Majesticks GC — Singles: Eugenio Chacarra (F) vs. Henrik Stenson (M); David Puig vs. Ian Poulter. Foursome: Sergio Garcia/Abraham Ancer vs. Lee Westwood/Sam Horsfield.
• Stinger GC vs. Cleeks GC — Singles: Branden Grace (S) vs. Adrian Meronk (C); Dean Burmester vs. Kalle Samooja. Foursome: Louis Oosthuizen/Charl Schwartzel vs. Martin Kaymer/Richard Bland.
• RangeGoats GC vs. 4Aces GC — Singles: Peter Uihlein (RG) vs. Dustin Johnson (4A); Thomas Pieters vs. Patrick Reed. Foursome: Bubba Watson/Matthew Wolff vs. Harold Varner III/Pat Perez.

Source: Field Level Media