The LIV Golf series returns after a brief hiatus for the 2nd successive installment of the Hong Kong Open. Adrian Meronk won his maiden LIV Golf event in Riyadh while the hyper-consistent Joaquin Niemann won yet another title in Adelaide.
2025 LIV Golf Series
LIV Golf Hong Kong
Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, Hong Kong
9th-11th March
The LIV Golf series returns after a brief hiatus for the 2nd successive installment of the Hong Kong Open. Adrian Meronk won his maiden LIV Golf event in Riyadh while the hyper-consistent Joaquin Niemann won yet another title in Adelaide. Reigning individual champ Jon Rahm sits 2nd in the individual standings after finishes of T2 and 6 (he is still yet to finish outside the top ten in an individual event). In any event, the tour will be hoping for yet another successful trip to the Pearl of the Orient. Last year’s edition was one of the best supported events on the entire roster, with golf fans in the region relishing the chance to see some of the best players on the planet in action. Abraham Ancer won in dramatic fashion last season, outduelling Paul Casey and Cameron Smith in a dramatic three-man playoff. Ancer looks well prepped for his title defence after an excellent T2 finish in Adelaide. Once again, the breakaway tour heads to Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, one of the great jewels in the Asian golfing world.
Founded way back in 1889 and originally known as Happy Valley, the Hong Kong Golf Club has hosted the Hong Kong Open every year since 1959 (one of only three events in the history of golf to be played at the same venue for over six decades). Early organizers built the Old Course at Fanling in 1911 and added the New Course in 1931. The Eden Course would be added in 1970, and LIV used a composite of all three courses in the first edition of this event. The course measured just a smidge over 6,700 yards (extremely short by LIV standards). This is a tight, tree-lined affair with penal waste areas (it really gives the more accurate types a chance to compete). So, I would probably favour accuracy over distance this week. Also, players must be deadly with wedges if they want to flourish here. Ian Poulter shot a 60 here at the 2011 Hong Kong Open. Patrick Reed went one better, shooting a 59 en route to winning the Hong Kong Open towards the end of last year. So, I think we should expect a lower winning score than last year’s -13 (especially with most players accustomed to this idiosyncratic layout).
Jon Rahm remains the most consistent player on the tour but certainly tends to implode in LIV contention. Still, the reigning LIV individual champ can’t be written off in any event (even if I don’t necessarily think this course suits his talents). Adelaide champ Joaquin Niemann must stand a chance this week while Abraham Ancer and Patrick Reed have both tasted victory here in the last 12 months. Cameron Smith will feel confident after participating in last year’s playoff while Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrell Hatton will look to bounce back after finishing down the field in Adelaide. Also watch out for LIV newcomers Tom McKibben and Luis Masaveu, both of whom have already picked up podium finishes this season.
Past Winners
2024: Abraham Ancer (-13) *playoff
Betting Favourites (To Win): Jon Rahm (11/2), Joaquin Niemann (7/1), Tyrell Hatton (17/2), Bryson DeChambeau (10/1), Cameron Smith (12/1)
Value Bet
Carlos Ortiz- To Win (30/1)
I am really liking the look of Carlos Ortiz this week. The Mexican enjoyed a breakthrough season on last year’s LIV Tour, winning his maiden LIV individual event in Houston (he would also go on to win the International Series Oman). Ortiz seems to have brought that form into 2025, finishing in a tie for 2nd last time out in Adelaide. Moreover, Ortiz finished in a tie for 4th here last season. He ranked inside the top 15 for driving accuracy and greens in regulation last year (which explains his ability to plot his way around this tight course).
The Man to Beat- Bryson DeChambeau- To Win (10/1)
Two-time US Open champ Bryson DeChambeau has enjoyed a decent start to the season, placing 2nd at the International Series in India before finishes of T6 and T18 in Riyadh and Adelaide respectively. DeChambeau never tasted victory om the LIV Tour last year (he hasn’t won on LIV since Chicago in 2023). But he was in the hunt on numerous occasions last year, finishing in a tie for 6th in this event. DeChambeau is obviously monstrous from the tee, but he also puts plenty of thought into his game. He memorably shot a 58 at the Greenbrier in 2023 and should fancy himself to go low again on this seemingly gettable course.
