Damien Kayat previews the 2023 LIV Golf Jeddah.
2023 LIV Golf
LIV Golf Jeddah
Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, Saudi Arabia
13th-15th October
The LIV Golf season is approaching its climax and this weekend will see the completion of the individual component of this much-maligned breakaway tour. Doesn’t it feel like this year’s LIV Golf campaign lost relevance as it went along? Sure, DeChambeau’s 58 at the Greenbrier created a little bit of buzz.
But generally speaking, Greg Norman can’t be too thrilled with how little this series has captured the public imagination. I feel like I have to do a google deep-dive just to find out who won each event. Bryson won the last event in Chicago and comes into this individual finale as the form dog in the field. But can he possibly usurp series leader Cam Smith this week?
The cream has risen to the top in LIV of late, with Cam Smith and Bryson sharing the last four victories on the tour. This week’s event does have a little more jeopardy than last year’s inaugural LIV Jeddah event (DJ had already wrapped up the individual title prior to this event last season).
Royal Greens Golf and Country Club is by no means a mystery to anyone who has followed the PGA Tour’s expansion into Asia over the past few years. It has hosted the PFI Saudi Invitational every year since 2019 (an event also mired in the same sportswashing controversy as LIV).
Designed by Dave Sampson, Royal Greens is a beautifully maintained course that is decorated by a host of magnificent fauna. It isn’t an overly long par 70 at just a smidge over 7,000 yards. The biggest defence of the course comes from the sudden gusts bellowing in from the Red Sea. Players will need to negotiate the changing wind as the course weaves in and out in multiple directions. The mammoth, undulating greens necessitate accurate approach play and composed lag-putting.
Cam Smith holds a narrow individual lead over the ultra-consistent Talor Gooch coming into this defining event. Bryson sits in 3rd place in the individual standings and will need some help if he were to ultimately win the top individual prize. Brooks Koepka really got under my skin during this year’s Ryder Cup.
To accuse Jon Rahm of acting like a man-child during the Ryder Cup is just the ultimate hypocrisy from an American team renowned for acts of boorish self-congratulation. I don’t know, every time I feel like I’m Team Koepka he says or does something to give me instant whiplash. But there will be plenty for the lower-ranked players to play for this week. The top 24 in the individual standings will secure their tour cards for next season.
Those finishing between 25 and 44 will face possible trade or release by their teams. And those finishing outside the top 44 will be relegated and will have to earn their spot back through a promotional tournament.
Recent LIV winners
LIV Golf Chicago: Bryson DeChambeau
LIV Golf Bedminster: Cam Smith
LIV Golf Greenbrier: Bryson DeChambeau
LIV Golf London: Cam Smith
LIV Golf Valderrama: Talor Gooch
Betting Favourites (To Win):
Bryson DeChambeau (8/1), Cam Smith (10/1), Dustin Johnson (12/1), Talor Gooch (14/1), Abraham Ancer (20/1)
Value Bet
Marc Leishman- To Win (28/1)
Burly Aussie Marc Leishman is a really nice 30/1 option this week. He had a dreadful start to his 2023 LIV Golf season, failing to crack the top five in each of his first eight events.
But he has suddenly caught fire in recent months, picking up three top eight finishes in his last four starts (including two podium finishes). He nearly won his maiden LIV title in Chicago and he just oozes value this week. Moreover, he finished in a tie for 6th at Royal Greens earlier this year.
The Man to Beat- Dustin Johnson- To Win (12/1)
It does take a certain kind of crazy to bet against DeChambeau this week. But nobody in the field has more knowledge of Royal Greens than DJ. He won the Saudi International here in 2019 and 2021. He also finished in the top five at last year’s inaugural LIV Golf Jeddah. He tops the LIV Golf league in birdies per round and is 2nd in the league in GIR percentage (which should prove to be a crucial stat this week).
