It looks set to be another momentous week for LIV Golf. The breakaway tour which is now in its second full season and third overall, will see its 100th round played this week and with many initially sceptical about the longevity of LIV, it is a feat that those within the organisation are rightfully proud of.
Although the dial is yet to turn in terms of a major TV deal, perhaps for the first time in its short three year history, there is huge optimism about where LIV is heading. Home already to some of the best players in the world, crowds are up and the quality of the golf has been high and there are huge expectations as LIV heads into its next tournament, LIV Greenbriar.
With the season heading to an exciting conclusion, the race for teams and players to end the year on top of the standings is certainly on and there is plenty to play for.
Ahead of an exciting three days, here is everything you need to know.
The Course
The Greenbrier is set in the heart of West Virginia on Greenbrier’s Old White Course. Measuring just over 7,200 yards, the course last year was at the mercy of almost the entire field as only four players failed to finish under par.
With scoring set to be generous throughout the week, the wide fairways and accessible greens should turn this week into a shootout and there will be high hopes that a repeat of Bryson DeChambeau’s historic round of 58 could well be on the cards.
There is a huge expectation that the course will be set ablaze with birdies and even if a player veers offline, the rough shouldn’t be too penal.
Accuracy is still set to win the day and those who find themselves constantly in the heart of the fairways can expect to have a big week.
Who Will Start The Week as The Favourites?
As has often been the case since he joined the LIV ranks late last year, Jon Rahm will start as the man the rest of the field needs to beat. In what was a slow start to his season, Rahm has looked much more like his old self in the last month.
A winner of his first LIV event in LIV’s last stop in London, the Spainard also earned his first top ten finish at a major at the Open and found himself bang in contention at the Olympics.
Seemingly on course for a historic gold medal for both himself and Spain at the Olympics, the wheels spectacularly came off on the back nine and he has a real point to prove this week.
Lying second in the current LIV individual standings, Rahm hasn’t finished outside of the top ten of any event that he has finished this season. Wanting to prove himself as the league’s top dog, expect another big performance from Rahm here.
Second in the betting is the U.S Open champion Bryson DeChambeau. It’s been a brilliant season for the American, having fully turned into one of golf’s most popular characters, DeChambeau has been making huge waves off the course, but on it he has saved his best for the majors.
By his own admission DeChambeau hasn’t been playing his best golf on LIV and currently lies eighth in the individual standings, however, a return to this venue might be just what he needs in order to finish the season strongly.
The winner of this event last year, his victory is still fondly remembered for his memorable 58. A rare feat in the game, it still remains the one and only 58 in the history of LIV and he will hope to produce more magic this year.
Rounding out the top three is Tyrell Hatton. Hatton was one of the last men to confirm his spot in LIV for this season and it's fair to say that the Englishman has performed far better than most had originally anticipated.
A winner in Nashville, he was unlucky not to add a second successive LIV crown when he finished second in the LIV UK event. Currently third in the race to finish as the season’s best player, another big week here could see him right in the mix to end the season in glory. With four top five finishes in his last five starts he is the form man of the Tour and could be one of the best bets of the week.
Who Else Could Have a Big Week?
Needing to have a big week is Joaquin Niemann. The current leader in the race to end the year as LIV’s best player, the Chilean has a host of star men hot on his heels and would like to create more distance to the chasing pack this week.
Niemann’s position in the standings is largely due to his fantastic start where he won two of the first three events of the season, however his recent form seems to have gone under the radar. Hitting the ball extremely well, since his last victory he has managed seven top ten finishes in his last eight starts and should arrive at Greenbrier raring to go.
Despite sitting at the top of the standings, Niemann arrives flying under the radar and for those that like to chase value, he could be the answer in a tricky betting contest.
Although he is one of LIV’s elder statesmen, Sergio Garcia has been playing some great golf and currently sits fourth in the individual standings. Having suffered several near misses, Garcia finally managed to win his first LIV title when winning in front of his home fans at LIV Andalucia.
Not the most prolific of scorers, he might not be an obvious pick for the week, however his current form can’t be denied and he should arrive full of confidence. Priced nicely, he could be worth chancing.
Brooks Koepka usually finds himself near the top of the betting but for this week he can be backed at an extremely attractive price.
Priced at 20/1, Koepka was a winner in Singapore but since then has only managed to land one top ten finish. Usually a dominant force in the majors, he barely featured this year and will want to end his year strongly. Koepka often plays his best when he is overlooked and arriving as a bit of an afterthought this week, this is where he could end up playing his best golf.
It is rare that he will start many tournaments at this price and it could be too big of an opportunity to turn down.
LIV Greenbrier Betting Odds
If you fancy placing a bet this week, here is how the top ten in the betting currently looks.
JON RAHM - 5/1
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU - 15/2
TYRELL HATTON - 8/1
JOAQUIN NIEMANN - 8/1
CAM SMITH - 12/1
SERGIO GARCIA - 16/1
PAUL CASEY - 20/1
TALOR GOOCH - 20/1
BROOKS KOEPKA - 20/1
LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN - 20/1
Jack Hartman
A keen golfer and huge fan of the game, Jack has been covering golf for the last five years. Bringing you all the latest coverage and news from the PGA, LIV, LPGA and DP World Tours, never before has golf been so popular and Jack can’t wait to bring all the excitement to his readers.
