The LIV Golf Tour heads from Saudi Arabia to the Far East this week for the inaugural edition of LIV Hong Kong. Damien Kayat previews.
2024 LIV Golf – LIV Hong Kong
Hong Kong Golf Club, Hong Kong
8 -10 March
The entire Anthony Kim fiasco really epitomizes what LIV is all about. For those who don’t know, Anthony Kim was once touted as a possible Tiger successor, winning three US PGA Tour events before the age of 25.
His career torpedoed after a series of debilitating injuries and a penchant for overly exuberant off-course partying. So, what do LIV do? They come in- like the cool, wayward uncle- and offer Kim a shot at rehabilitation in an attempt to bolster their own renegade status.
And what happened? The ploy absolutely nosedived (so to speak), with a bedraggled-looking Kim ambling around the course in an abysmal 16-over-par (11 shots worse than any other competitor). What’s next? Is Bam Margera going to get a tournament invite?
Sorry, I’m just not buying into this fairytale narrative that LIV are selling. This was a cheap gimmick aimed at drumming up publicity. I don’t even think Norman and his cohorts will care about the result, embracing the Trumpian maxim that all publicity is good publicity.
Enough of that. Let’s focus on some positives, shall we? Joaquin Niemann came through for me big style last week, blitzing the field by four shots to become just the sixth multiple winner in LIV Golf history. It was his third professional win in three months and helped secure him an invite to the US PGA Championship.
He has been on the frontlines of the battle to award LIV world ranking points (a fight which they seem to be losing at this point in time). But it does feel a little bit strange that Niemann- one of the hottest payers in world golf- is currently ranked 76th in the world.
But I guess these guys did understand that risk when they went about ripping up the fabric of the game as we knew it. Niemann will be looking to win his third LIV event in four starts as the tour travels to its 20th global market: Hong Kong. And the tournament will be hosted at an absolute staple of the Asian golfing world: Hong Kong Golf Club.
The Hong Kong Golf Club
Established way back in 1889, Hong Kong Golf Club has been involved in professional golf for over six decades. The club has hosted the Hong Kong Open since 1959 and it is one of only three events in the history of golf to be played at the same venue for over six decades.
It is a par 70 that barely measures over 6,500 yards. The LIV organizers clearly feel like a 2nd 59 of the season will help generate some more buzz. This is quite a tight, tree-lined affair and pure shot-makers won’t be pummeled into submission by the heavy hitters this week.
I would favour accuracy over distance from the tee this week and I would look for players who are deadly with wedge in hand. Ian Poulter shot a 60 here at the 2011 Hong Kong Open and Norman must be hoping that one of his stars can go one better this week.
The Contenders
Joaquin Niemann will obviously be one to watch this week after that barnstorming victory at Royal Palms. He has been absolutely lethal with the irons this season and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is in the mix once again.
I’m slightly surprised that reigning Masters champ Jon Rahm is leading the markets this week. He has enjoyed a solid start to life on the LIV Tour, picking up three top-eight finishes in a row. But Niemann has won two titles, showing a 59 at Mayakoba and winning by four shots last week.
In any event, the likes of DJ and Talor Gooch will look to continue their good form. It will be interesting to see how Bryson fares this week. His distance could make a mockery of this layout. But it is tree-lined and there could be issues if he gets too gung-ho.
To Win Outright:
Jon Rahm 5/1 | Joaquin Niemann 13/2 | Talor Gooch 12/1 | Tyrell Hatton 14/1 | Bryson DeChambeau 14/1
Patrick Reed- To Win 50/1 | To Place 11/1
‘Captain America’ Patrick Reed has struggled to find his best golf during this year’s LIV series. In fact, the burly American is still yet to win a title on the LIV Tour. But the former Masters champ is a perennial winner and he did pick up four podium finishes on last year’s LIV Tour. He actually played some recent events on the Asian Tour, finishing T15 at the Hong Kong Open- held here- and T7 at the Indonesian Masters. That experience should give him a bit of an advantage this week. The driver won’t be completely necessary out there and that should suit Reed.
The Man to Beat- Sergio Garcia- To Win 16/1 | To Place 7/2
This course really looks like it should suit Spanish star Sergio Garcia. The tree-lined test is reminiscent of his beloved Valderrama and Garcia also has some course experience at the Hong Kong Open, finishing 19th in 2017 and 6th in 2018. Still yet to win on the LIV Tour, Sergio Garcia has twice been beaten in a playoff. He lost to red-hot Talor Gooch in last year’s LIV Singapore and he lost to an equally in-form Joaquin Niemann in this season’s LIV opener at Mayakoba. Garcia also finished in a tie for third at last year’s season-ending individual event in Jeddah. He was 15th in Jeddah last week but only three players beat the 65 he shot on Sunday.
