PREVIEW: 2023 LIV Golf Invitational Chicago

2023 LIV Golf Series
LIV Golf Chicago
Rich Harvest Farms, Chicago, Illinois
22nd-24th September

LIV Golf returns after more than a month for the 2nd edition of the LIV Golf Chicago. I personally find it a bit disjointed to have such a long layoff in a series still trying to make its mark. This is set to be a quietly monumental fortnight in the history of LIV Golf. Obviously, we have the 2nd edition of LIV Chicago to look forward to this week. Last year’s event was one of the best-attended events in the LIV Golf and their entire retinue of talent will be in town this week.

But more importantly, Brooks Koepka will become the first active LIV player to participate in the Ryder Cup next week. Zach Johnson had little choice but to pick him after his success at Oak Hill (he only finished one spot out of an automatic qualification spot). A year ago, it would have seemed sacrilege for a LIV golfer to be deemed eligible for the most prestigious team event in world golf. This concession by the traditional golfing establishment feels like the ultimate validation for the entire LIV enterprise.

It will be interesting to see if the ever-subtle Greg Norman intends to milk Koepka’s Ryder Cup selection in any way. He generally finds it hard to resist a chance to poke his finger in the eye of the establishment. In any event, Cam Smith will be looking to defend his title this year after winning two of the last three LIV events. He currently leads Talor Gooch in the individual standings (which would have almost seemed inconceivable two months ago).

It’s kind of crazy to think that we only have three events to go in this year’s LIV Golf Series. Also, Nelly will be performing in Chicago this week! Talk about a throwback. That musical selection feels a tad early-2000’s if you are trying to appeal to a younger generation. But I digress. This year’s event will be hosted at the same venue as last year’s LIV Chicago: Rich Harvest Farms.

Rich Harvest Farms is the brainchild of owner Jerry Rice and architect Greg Martin. It has previously hosted both the Solheim Cup and the NCAA Division 1 Championship. Originally founded in 1990, the course proved a tough challenge last season, with only three players ending in double-digits under par. Revered as the ‘Augusta of the Midwest’, Rich Harvest was apparently modelled on Dr Alister Mackenzie’s Georgian masterpiece.

It measures over 7,400 yards and features sprawling Bentgrass greens. One would certainly favour distance over accuracy this week. The fairways are quite forgiving and it really invites the bombers to let rip. I would also put a premium on Par 5 Scoring. I think I may also take a hard look at Scrambling stats this week. These massive greens will require finesse (adding further credence to the connection with Augusta National).

Cam Smith is currently the hottest player in LIV Golf and he makes sense leading the markets this week. The defending champion loves these wide fairways and his masterful short-game makes him a compelling choice around Rich Harvest Farms. Bryson DeChambeau electrified the world with that 58 at the Greenbrier and he has to be fancied at a course that rewards raw power.

It will be interesting to see how Koepka approaches this week’s action. He will have one eye on Rome next week and may not want to push himself to the limit in Chicago. Elsewhere, Talor Gooch and Peter Reed will be hoping to impress as they attempt to rein in leader Cam Smith. Oh, and I didn’t even get a chance to mention DJ. He finished runner-up alongside Peter Uihlein last year and he will likely feel a bit aggrieved at his Ryder Cup omission.

Past Winners

2022: Cam Smith (-13)

Recent LIV Winners

LIV Golf Bedminster: Cam Smith
LIV Golf Greenbrier: Bryson DeChambeau
LIV Golf London: Cam Smith
LIV Golf Valderrama: Talor Gooch

Betting Favourites (To Win)

Cam Smith (15/2), Bryson DeChambeau (11/1), Patrick Reed (14/1), Dustin Johnson (14/1), Talor Gooch (16/1)

Value Bet

Peter Uihlein- To Win (50/1)

Big-hitting American Peter Uihlein has certainly cooled off after a scintillating start to the LIV campaign. He finished inside the top eight in his first four events of the season. He could be one of the players who has benefitted most from the month away from action. Crucially, he finished runner-up here last year alongside Dustin Johnson. He still leads tour in Driving Distance and he currently sits 58-under-par on the Par 5’s this season. 66/1 looks like insane value.

The Man to Beat- Bryson DeChambeau- To Win (11/1)

You have to fancy a resurgent DeChambeau on this layout (especially at this price). His stunning weekend rounds of 61 and 58 at the Greenbrier felt like a watershed moment in the career of the controversial American. The 2020 US Open champion actually won his first US PGA Tour title- the John Deere Classic- in Illinois.

I find it quite incredible that Zach Johnson omitted him from this year’s Ryder Cup side (especially after selecting Koepka). He won LIV Andalucía in July and he obviously dominated the LIV Greenbrier in August. He also finished 4th at the US PGA in May. He finished 8th here 12 months ago (when he had virtually no form to speak of).