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Rory McIlroy will duel Rickie Fowler in an exhibition match under the lights

Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler will take their imaginary rivalry to Detroit for a pre-US Open exhibition in June.

By Emily Kay
Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Perhaps Bill Murray will be available, or maybe Justin Timberlake, but whether one of those National Pro-Am A-listers or other golfing celebs enlist as comic relief, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler appear poised for a live, prime time shootout under the lights in Motown in June.

The current world Nos. 3 and 4 will take the time-honored tradition of a make-believe rivalry to Detroit Golf Club on June 7, the week before US Open week kicks off at Oakmont, according to the Associated Press’ Doug Ferguson. The upcoming exhibition will differ from Tiger Woods’ tilts versus would-be peers David Duval (1999), Sergio Garcia (2000) and McIlroy (2012) in that reported sponsor Quicken Loans plans to add a Pebble Beach-like celebrity aspect to the star-studded match.

What Ferguson’s source termed "Team Rory" and "Team Rickie" will play 18 holes in a format that has yet to be determined. Golf Channel and CBS will broadcast the fun live, with GC up first and Jim Nantz’ network picking up the ball for the 9-11 p.m. time slot.

In the meantime, McIlroy will open his 2016 PGA Tour campaign, as well as make his Northern Trust Open debut. He'll also launch his Masters buildup this week at Riviera, a course that pitched a shutout at Woods in Tiger’s 11 starts as an amateur and a pro.

As for which two luminaries may sign on for the made-for-TV event, fingers crossed that Chris Berman’s dance card is already full.

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