LIV Golf returns this week for its first post-US Open outing: LIV Golf Dallas (the 9th in this year’s 14-event schedule). LIV Golf returns to Dallas for a 2nd successive season (Maridoe hosted last year’s Dallas Team Championship).
2025 LIV Golf Series
LIV Golf Dallas
Maridoe Golf Club, Carrollton, Texas
27th-29th June
This will be the first time that Dallas features as a regular-season event, featuring both individual and team competitions. Dallas has become a bit of a golfing hub in recent years, with the likes of DeChambeau, Ortiz and Munoz living in the Dallas area. This is actually a crucial week on the LIV Golf calendar, as it is the final chance for LIV players to play themselves into next month’s Open Championship at Roal Portrush. The R&A announced its new LIV qualification model in February, with the highest ranked player inside the top five- not otherwise exempt- earning a spot in the year’s final Major. The top three in the current rankings- Niemann, DeChambeau and Rahm- have already qualified for the links extravaganza. Sergio Garcia currently owns the R&A qualification spot but there are as many as ten players who can usurp him this week.
Maridoe Country Club- located on the site of the former Columbian Country Club- was remodeled by Steve Symers in 2017. It is a 7,567 yard beauty built around a 31-acre lake (which features prominently in several holes). The par-4 5th measures just 333 yards and will be a real risk-reward hole due to water. Despite the advertised length, only two of the par 4’s measure over 420 yards (which should give the likes of DeChambeau and Burmester an advantage). Having said that, two of the par 5’s measure over 600 yards (the 2nd tips out at an imposing 655 yards). The entire course is laid to Bermudagrass and the greens should run at around 13 on the stimp. Sure, you want players who can avoid the water off the tee. But I still think that distance will trump accuracy on this 7,567 layout (there will be plenty of birdie and eagle opportunities out there for the bombers). These greens are apparently harder to hit than average and this should put more of an onus on strong approach play.
Chilean Joaquin Niemann is threatening to become the Scottie Scheffler of LIV Golf. He has won four of this season’s eight events (including the most recent outing in Virginia). Jon Rahm’s insane LIV Golf top ten streak bled into the Major Championship arena, as the burly Spaniard recorded a much-needed T7 at Oakmont. Grapevine resident Bryson DeChambeau will no doubt enjoy the majority of support this week. I think that DeChambeau- despite Scheffler’s metronomic brilliance and McIlroy’s career Grand Slam- is probably the biggest draw in world golf right now (Tiger excluded). Think what you want of DeChambeau, his YouTube channel is taking golf to a brand-new audience (who are perhaps turned off by more stereotypically insular figureheads). Sergio Garcia will look for a strong week as he aims to qualify for Royal Portrush (though the likes of Sebastian Munoz and Abraham Ancer will look to spoil his party). Elsewhere, Carlos Ortiz and Tyrell Hatton will be looking to build on career-best major performances (they both finished in a tie for 4th at Oakmont).
Past Winners
n/a
Betting Favourites (To Win): Jon Rahm (11/2), Bryson DeChambeau (11/2), Joaquin Niemann (13/2), Tyrell Hatton (8/1), Carlos Ortiz (14/1)
Value Bet
Sergio Garcia- To Win (35/1)
Sergio Garcia needs a big week. Garcia is looking to reach a 26th Open Championship (he has ten top 10’s in that event). Garcia enjoyed a terrific start to the season, finishing inside the top 20 in four of his first five LIV events (including victory in Hong Kong). Garcia has struggled in more recent times, failing to qualify for the US Open and finishing outside the top 30 in each of his last three LIV events. I just think that the allure of the Claret Jug will propel him to greater heights this week. Garcia enjoyed these Bermuda greens last year, leading putting averages at the Team Championship.
The Man to Beat- Carlos Ortiz- To Win (14/1)
Mexican Carlos Ortiz conducted himself brilliantly at that sadistic Oakmont layout, ultimately finishing in a tie for 4th. He led the field in GIR at Oakmont (which augers well for success here). Ortiz has been in excellent form this season, finishing no higher than 16th in his last six starts (he has three top tens in his last four LIV starts). Moreover, Ortiz performed well during the Team Championship last year. I feel like 14/1 is excellent value when you consider his exceptional recent form.
