The LIV Golf League heads from Adelaide to Sentosa for LIV Golf Singapore. Jon Rahm leads the markets this week, with the likes of Joaquin Niemann and Cameron Smith also near the top of the betting boards.
2024 LIV Golf League
LIV Golf Singapore
Sentosa Golf Club
3 – 5 May
Perennial underdog Brendan Steele withstood a massive Louis Oosthuizen charge to claim last week’s Adelaide title. The three-time US PGA Tour champion had done enough on the first two days to withstand the likes of Oosthuizen and Rahm.
The tour moves swiftly onto Singapore for the second consecutive edition of LIV Golf Singapore. This week’s event is significant in that it marks the end of the first half of the season.
Talor Gooch was on fire during this portion of last season and he will be back to defend his title. He has been slightly more subdued this campaign and he will be hoping to reignite the magic this week.
Jon Rahm had another peak at victory last week but he still remains winless since his high-profile move to LIV. The truth is this: it isn’t easy to win out here anymore. LIV has pilfered enough talent to make it a true breakaway tour (it’s not just a gimmicky fad these days).
Sentosa Golf Club
Located on the southern shore of Singapore, Sentosa Golf Club is about as stunning a golf course as you are going to find anywhere in the world, with the beautiful blue waters of the Singapore Straits providing a wonderfully tranquil backdrop for this week’s action.
Measuring nearly 7 500 yards, Sentosa is certainly for the guys who can get it out there. That will only be exacerbated by the fact that there is some rain expected this week. That will soften conditions and put more of an onus on ball carry.
The stretch of holes from 3-7 are ominously known as the ‘Dragon’s Tail’. There are some absolutely brutal par 4s in there that will test the player’s tee-to-green skills. But Talor Gooch and Sergio Garica both shot 17-under-par in three rounds last season.
LIV has started to soften up golf courses in search of that next viral DeChambeau-58 moment. Look for big hitters who make plenty of birdies.
The Contenders
Jon Rahm has been extremely consistent this season though he will be frustrated that he remains winless. He was disappointing at Augusta and will be looking for some strong LIV form ahead of both the PGA Championship and US Open.
Joaquin Niemann once again threatened in Adelaide in what is turning out to be a brilliant season for the Chilean. Cameron Smith and Louis Oosthuizen are both starting to pick up momentum while the likes of DeChambeau and DJ are perennial contenders. And somehow Tyrell Hatton is still trading at 14/1 to win this week.
Past Winners
2023: Talor Gooch (-17) *playoff
To Win Outright:
Jon Ram 11/2 | Joaquin Niemann 8/1 | Cameron Smith 12/1 | Tyrell Hatton 14/1 | Louis Oosthuizen 14/1
Value Bet
Adrian Meronk- To Win 35/1 | To Place 15/2
Adrian Meronk has been quietly going about his business on the LIV Tour and he could be one watch in the place markets this week. The Pole chose LIV after being completely snubbed for Ryder Cup consideration by Luke Donald. And I think he has taken to the tour reasonably well, picking up top 10 finishes in Jeddah (T6) and Vegas (T9). He is a fantastic ball-striker, currently ranked T13 in Driving Distance on tour. He is also hitting almost 70% of his greens in regulation. He could be a dark horse option this week.
The Man to Beat- Jon Rahm- To Win 11/2 | To Place 12/10
This could be the week for Rahm to finally earn that much-awaited win. The Spaniard hasn’t exactly been duffing it out there. He is the only player who has managed to finish inside the top ten in all six events thus far. He left himself a little too much to do last Sunday but still managed a highly creditable T3 finish. This is a course that rewards pure ball-striking and Rahm has been exceptional this year. He currently ranks fourth on the LIV Tour for average Driving Distance and second for GIR. He also ranks first for Bidie percentage. Everything is pointing towards a strong Rahm showing.
