Will LIV Golf be able to build on the roaring success of its Adelaide adventure when the field head over to Singapore? Damien Kayat previews.
2023 LIV Golf League
LIV Golf Singapore
Sentosa Golf Course, Singapore
28th-30th April
This is quite ironic. I thought one of the perks of playing LIV Golf was to avoid the grind of playing week-in, week-out. But the tour will now be in action for its second consecutive week after a crazy, sold-out event in Adelaide.
Talor Gooch eventually captured the title after threatening to surrender a ten-shot lead going into the final round. He eventually finished three shots ahead of Anirban Lahiri (talk about the cream rising to the top). But everyone will always remember the event for Chase Koepka’s ace on Sunday. The alcohol-fueled crowd went absolutely ballistic, rivalling TPC Scottsdale for frat-boy juvenility.
It was really a snapshot of what this LIV Golf enterprise is aiming to offer. Call me a prude, but I’m just fine without it. LIV Golf expands this week to include the all-new LIV Golf Singapore. And it will be taking place at a very familiar course: Sentosa GC.
Chase Koepka with the ACE at the watering hole!
— LIV Golf Nation (@LIVGolfNation) April 23, 2023
LIV Golf Adelaide is on fire! pic.twitter.com/in4cZ7eGMS
Sentosa GC
This is a course that has been used since 2005 for the Singapore Open. Many of the DP World Tour players will have had a crack at this baby in the past. It opened in 1982 and underwent a further renovation in 2006.
It then underwent another major renewal in 2020 under the guidance of Andrew Johnston. Numerous bunkers and water hazards are peppered all over the layout. Significant rain is expected this week. This will soften the conditions and encourage low scoring.
This week’s layout is a bit of a behemoth (measuring just over 7,400 yards). And this will only be lengthened by soft conditions. The generous fairways will encourage the bigger hitters to just let rip this week and this one should really suit the bombers.
The Contenders
Surely this is the week that DJ comes to life in 2023. Or perhaps it’s the turn of Bryson to finally remind the world what he is capable of. Conditions should suit these ‘alpha’ male types.
But perhaps the more ‘exotic’ location will actually bring a few more players into the mix. DP World Tour veterans such as Sergio Garcia and Thomas Pieters may prove to be factors this week. It’s going to be hard for this week’s event to top the sheer insanity on display in Adelaide.
I’m sure that Greg Norman and Co. will leave no stone unturned in their quest to up the ante and turn this into an even gaudier monstrosity.
To Win Outright:
Cameron Smith 10/1 | Brooks Koepka 12/1 | Dustin Johnson 12/1 | Patrick Reed 14/1 | Joaquin Niemann 14/1
Value Bets
Sergio Garcia – To Win 25/1 | To Place 9/2
Could this be the week that 43-year-old Spaniard Sergio Garcia finally tastes success on the LIV Tour? Garcia has probably got the richest course form of anyone in the field. He won the Singapore Open at this venue in 2018. He also finished 11th in 2017 and 7th in 2019. Garcia actually ended LIV Golf 2022 in pretty formidable fashion, picking up four top-10 finishes in his last five events. He also led through two of three rounds in Tucson earlier this year (he ultimately had to settle for 6th). I just like the fact that he has that rich course history. He also played consistently in Adelaide, shooting three consecutive 4-under rounds.
The Man to Beat – Peter Uihlein – To Win 22/1 | To Place 4/1
If DJ was the icon of LIV 2022; Peter Uihlein is certainly the main man in this year’s edition. The former DP World Tour alumni actually finished 2022 with a runner-up in Jeddah. But he has been consistent this year, finishing in the top four in every LIV event. That is pretty impressive when you consider the globetrotting nature of this tour. He has scored 68 or better in ten of his last 12 rounds of LIV Golf. And his prodigious length should make him a strong contender this week.
