The controversial LIV Golf Series gets underway in Saudi Arabia this week, with the first ever installment of the LIV Golf Riyadh (joining LIV Golf Jeddah as a fellow Saudi host).
2025 LIV Golf
LIV Golf Riyadh
Riyadh Golf Club, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
6th-8th February
Ever the innovators, LIV Golf Riyadh will actually be the first ever nighttime event in the history of LIV Golf. The new sponsorship deal with Fox has necessitated a bit of a shakeup, as LIV desperately hope to attract a greater American audience. Perhaps that’s also the reason that have added high-profile YouTuber Rick Shiels to their little experiment: broaden the range. Jon Rahm was in devastating form towards the end of last season, winning two of his last three events to ultimately power himself to the overall individual title. However, Tyrell Hatton has been in inspired form in recent months, propelling himself back into the top ten in the world and virtually assuring himself of a Ryder Cup spot at Bethpage.
Riyadh Golf Club is a jewel in the Saudi Arabian golfing landscape. Opened in 2005, Riyadh Golf Club has hosted many international tournaments (most notably the Saudi International). This course can be stretched to well over 7,400 yards from the tips (a strong tee-to-green game will certainly come in handy this week). The course features wide, undulating fairways and large, sloping greens. It features one par-five that measures about 690 yards! Even Bryson is going to have some trouble reaching that one in two. It also features a 162-yard par-3 with water surrounding it. Players who can send it from the tee- with some desert experience- should prosper here. I think players will likely need to make plenty of putts in what should be a low-scoring week. It will obviously all be heightened by the nighttime format (apparently the floodlights at Riyadh Golf Club are ridiculously powerful).
Tyrell Hatton has come to life in recent months and will go into this as joint-favourite alongside 2024 individual champ Jon Rahm, Hatton won his maiden LIV Golf event last year and has recently won both the Dunhill Links Championship and Dubai Desert Classic. Jon Rahm ended last year on fire but looked far from his best at the recent Dubai Desert Classic, missing the cut in a rather miserable showing. Joaquin Niemann can’t stop winning in Saudi Arabia and has to be respected this week. Bryson DeChambeau finished runner-up at the recent International Series India event and shouldn’t be underestimated. Elsewhere, the likes of Cameron Smith and Brooks Koepka will look to announce themselves with an early LIV win.
Betting Favourites: Tyrell Hatton (7/1), Jon Rahm (7/1), Bryson DeChambeau (17/2), Joaquin Niemann (17/2), Cameron Smith (12/1)
Value Bet
Tom McKibben- To Win (55/1), To Place (12/1)
New recruit Tom McKibben will want to have an immediate impact this week. The Northern Irishman missed the cut last time out at the Ras al Khamiah Championship (perhaps he was somewhat distracted by his upcoming dalliance with LIV). But he has been in strong recent overall form, with three top 11 finishes in his last six starts. He is exceptional from the tee and has the ability to run hot with the putter (a good combination for success at Riyadh Golf Club). He was T6 at the recent Dubai Desert Classic, finishing just one shot behind McIlroy. He could be worth a place bet this week.
The Man to Beat- Joaquin Niemann- To Win (17/2), To Place (37/20)
Niemann led the individual rankings for much of last season and will hope for another hot start this year. He has won in his last two trips to Saudi Arabia and clearly has an affinity for the area. He won in Mayakoba and Jeddah last year, picking up another five top five finishes in an uber-consistent campaign. He arrives in red-hot form, with four successive top ten finishes coming into this event (including victory on this course at the Saudi International). He was brilliant at the Saudi International, finishing with a winning score of 21-under-par. He just looks like terrific value given his amazing Saudi pedigree.
