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In terms of drama, the season-opening event didn’t disappoint. The first round was in doubt at one stage as food poisoning was reported to have affected more than half the field. Joaquin Niemann put together a near-perfect round of golf on Friday to shoot 59, five shots better than anyone else. He seemingly was in control of the event on Saturday until he was penalised post-round for an incorrect drop. Struggled on Sunday, falling behind Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm was just a few holes to play, before a wayward drive cost Rahm on the 17th and then Niemann recovered to take Garcia to a playoff which he won on the fourth hole when only the light of the leaderboard made putting possible. And this was the week in which the drama was expected to peak. The inaugural LIV Golf Las Vegas will start on Thursday and finish on Saturday, a day earlier than usual, as the Superbowl will be held on Sunday at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas just a few miles away. With so many NFL fans heading to Vegas for the weekend, the organisers are hoping that this event will capitalise on this environment. As Bryson DeChambeau said, “I can’t wait to see what the response is going to be like with the football fans and the Vegas fans alike. It is a perfect combination for a unique and upbeat environment. There are going to be a lot of fun moments out there, a rowdy crowd, and probably a lot of clip-able moments.” In terms of the course, the Las Vegas Country Club was designed by Ed Ault and opened in 1967. Ault may be familiar as the designer of the TPC Potomac which hosted the Wells Fargo Championship in 2022. This course hosted the Las Vegas Invitational between 1983 and 1991, and was part of the course rotation for the event between 1992 and 1995. More recently, it hosted the LPGA Takefuji Classic between 2003 and 2006. In terms of design, it is a tight tree-lined course with strategic bunkering in the landing areas. Measuring 7,089 yards, it is a short course even before the effects of altitude are taken into account (the city of Las Vegas is over 2,000 feet above sea level). With recent wet weather, the course will be soft which will help with the strategic element needed this week, though it will be much colder than last week’s event in Mexico. The bentgrass greens are described as some of the best the players will face this year. Here are a few angles that can be used this week. Angles to consider: 1. Accuracy will be central From all the descriptions of the course, accuracy off the tee and a strong tee-to-green game will be important here. Admittedly a long time ago, but the last Tour event played on this course (2006 LPGA Takefuji Classic) was won by Lorena Ochoa who ranked 1st in green in regulation that week, while the top-3 all ranked inside the top-5 for that stat. It was the same the previous year, also won by Ochoa with the top-3 all ranking inside the top-5 for greens in regulation. The game has changed a lot off the tee in the last 20 years for both men’s and women’s golf, but it is anecdotal evidence to confirm the course description that accurate ball-strikers will prevail here. 2. LIV Golf experience will matter If the music was a distraction to the LIV Golf rookies last week, it will be nothing to the expected raucous crowd (and environment) this week. There are players who thrive in this – DeChambeau comes to mind, but the course does not favour his game – and there are those who will find it a distraction and/or intimidating. Either way, experience of the unique environment of LIV Golf should help. Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players has been selected. Jon Rahm
As a 2024 rookie, Rahm does not meet the second angle, but he was so impressive last week. Niemann shot a career-round on Friday, but it looked so effortless for Rahm to close the gap and overtake him on Sunday. It was Rahm’s event to win and smothered drive on 17th, plus a drive into the bunker on the 18th cost him. This week he will be more prepared, particularly for the team aspect which is new for him. If he plays as well and can ride, rather than be distracted by, the environment, he will dominate this event. Charles Howell
Last week’s course clearly suited Howell as he was the defending champion, and he showed strong form to finish in the top-5. Admittedly, it was his short game that was better than his long game last week, which may be a concern on this week’s course, but he typically ranks very highly in the ball-striking stats. In the previous individual event (LIV Golf Jeddah), he ranked 1st for driving accuracy and 2nd for greens in regulation that week. Now in his second season on LIV Golf, he should be well-prepared for this event and this course. Paul Casey
Since joining LIV Golf in 2022, he is one of the most experienced players of this format. That should help this week. It will also help that he is statistically the best player in terms of greens in regulation over the last 12 months on LIV Golf. Last week was no exception – he finished 11th on the leaderboard and 4th in terms of greens in regulation. It has been his putting as to why he hasn’t added to his four top-5 finishes in LIV Golf since February last year. If he can putt well this week, he has the game to at least secure a top-5 finish. Tips 1-2; -1.08pts 2pts win Jon Rahm 17/4 (Spreadex, Sporting Index) 8th 1pt e.w. Charles Howell 35/1 (Bet365 1/4 1-2-3-4-5) 34th 1pt e.w. Paul Casey 55/1 (Bet365 1/4 1-2-3-4-5) 5th
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