LIV Golf – after much fanfare in its inaugural season – is floundering somewhat according to television ratings. The field heads to Florida next for LIV Golf Orlando where several Master contenders will tee it up. Damien Kayat previews.
2023 LIV Golf
LIV Golf Orlando
Crooked Cat, Orange County National, Orlando, Florida
31st March- 2nd April
With the Masters looming large, could this be the chance for LIV Golf to finally thrive? The Saudi-backed tour has endured a disastrous start to its 2023 campaign.
The ratings for the maiden event at Mayakoba were terrible (with America’s funniest animals enjoying more pull on CW). But the second event in Tucson actually drew less attention!
Danny Lee’s victory must be one of the most anonymous multimillionaire sports wins in history. I just have the feeling that this maiden trip to Orlando could offer some solace to the embattled tour.
There are more realistic Masters contenders teeing it up in Orlando this week than on the US PGA Tour in Texas. Former Masters champ Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith both have a really good shot at ending next week adorned by that iconic green jacket.
🏆DANNY LEE.
— LIV Golf Updates (@LIVGolfUpdates) March 19, 2023
In just his second LIV event he wins in an exciting 4 way playoff! What a shot. #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/1pcRsR2m4t
Crooked Cat
I only heard about Crooked Cat for the first time last week. Social media personality Rick Shiels threw some not-too-subtle shade at it on his podcast.
He basically insinuated that he never thought it was championship-level golf course. It is a par 71 that comes in at just a tick under 7,300 yards. The contoured fairways and larger-than-average greens give this a slightly linksy feel.
This may also be exacerbated by the typically gusty Floridian winds. As with many Floridian courses, the slick Bermuda greens will require some deft touch.
But all-in-all, it looks a pretty gettable course. With generous fairways and large greens, I think the bombers should feast at this layout. I would fancy the big hitters who could get the flat-stick talking (this could devolve into a real birdie fest).
The Contenders
There are at least 18 golfers in action this week who will be teeing it up at Augusta National (including six former champions).
It will be interesting to see if we have any tension next week (it will be the first time since St Andrews that the LIV defectors have been fully integrated with the US PGA Tour).
Rumours are swirling that in-form LIV players such as Charles Howell III could receive a late Masters invite. DJ and Cameron Smith are the obvious favourites this week.
But I would probably be inclined to swerve the LIV behemoths. They could be using this as a glorified practice session ahead of Augusta National next week.
To Win Outright:
Dustin Johnson 11/1 | Cameron Smith 12/1 | Joaquin Niemann 12/1 | Mio Pereira 14/1 | Charles Howell III 16/1
Value Bets
Louis Oosthuizen- To Win 28/1 | To Place 6/1
Louis Oosthuizen- the perennial bridesmaid of men’s golf- could be one to watch out for this week. He is a brilliant links operator who should thrive if the wind picks up (as it is predicted to do). A runner-up at Augusta in 2012, Oosthuizen will be walking down Magnolia Lane with a spring in his step if he plays well this week. He was fourth last time out in Tucson and his game seems to be tracking.
Sam Horsfield- To Win 60/1 | To Place 19/1
I’m opting for Orlando-based gofer Sam Horsfield. The Englishman has lived in the Sunshine State for years (not too far away from Orange County National). He was a superstar junior in Florida, winning the Florida State Amateur at the age of 16. He won three times on the DP World Tour and his power should make him a nice dark horse contender this week. He began LIV Golf with a bang, finishing 5th at the inaugural event hosted in London. His form tapered off last year (he only picked up two more top-20 finishes). But he is fresh off a 19th place in Tucson and I think he could thrive in these climes.
The Man to Beat- Peter Uihlein- To Win 30/1 | To Place 13/2
Peter Uihlein has a two-pronged appeal this week. Firstly, he is an Orlando resident making his way back home. Secondly, he is one of the most in-form players in LIV Golf. He finished 2nd at Mayakoba and 10th in Tucson. More importantly, he has finished 2nd three time in his last five LIV events. He is just one of those fringe players who has blossomed with a change in scenery (or perhaps intensity). Also, his team- 4 Aces- currently lead the team standings following two runner-up finishes. This will only add to his motivation this week.
