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And that was the week that was. Surpassing last year’s record attendance by over 20%, 94,000 people attended over the three days at LIV Golf Adelaide and 1.9 million people tuned into the Channel 7 broadcast over the first two days (no data yet on Sunday as far as I can see). The all-Australian, Ripper GC, won the team event with the first-ever team playoff. And Brendan Steele won the individual event to mark the third consecutive first-time winner on LIV Golf, but that was a minor story last week. It will be pretty tough ask to beat that week. Just as last year, LIV Golf follows Adelaide with a trip to Singapore and a totally different vibe. It would be too exhausting to match last week. But there is no trade-off in terms of the venue. The Serapong course at Sentosa Golf Club won the title of ‘World’s Best Golf Course’ at the 2023 World Golf Awards (the same ceremony at which LIV Golf Adelaide won the ‘World’s Best Golf Event’ award). The course was designed by Ron Fream and opened in 1982, though there have been major renovations in both 2005 and 2020. It hosted the Singapore Open on the DP World Tour between 2005 and 2022. Measuring 7,406 yards, it is much longer than last week’s course and based on Sentosa Island, there is plenty water in play with large lakes and strategically-placed bodies of water. This helps to create a course that is both challenging and scenic, particularly the finishing hole with its backdrop of Singapore’s harbour. This view of the Serapong being a ball-striker’s course is confirmed by the players. · Brooks Koepka: It's a pure golf course. You look at that whole front side, it's all about positioning and being in the right spot, making sure you either hit the fairway or you're positioned correctly. That's what I think a good golf course tests you. · Bryson DeChambeau: It is a mid-iron golf course. You're not hitting very many drivers off the tee. There's a couple holes like 6 you want to blast it left and long. Like there's nowhere to hit it in that fairway. It's too tight, for anyone, really. I mean, it's very, very tight. Given this outline of the course and a long history of the Singapore Open played at the Serapong, here are a couple of angles that can be used this week. Angles to consider: 1. Ball control is again all-important this week Given the quality of the courses on the LIV Golf schedule, this is becoming and all-too-regular angle. And it is backed up by the stats: last year, Talor Gooch had a career-week on the greens to win the event (he ranked 1st in putts per rounds and scrambling), whereas the playoff loser, Sergio Garcia, ranked 1st for greens in regulation. Neither ranked in the top-third of the rankings for either driving distance or accuracy. That primary focus on greens in regulation stats can also be found in the Singapore Open here. The winner of the last four Singapore Opens ranked 1st-1st-1st-2nd in that category that week. 2. Experience of playing in South-East Asian will be an advantage There is so much about this event that is different to last week, but one important aspect is the climate. Here is Bubba Watson from last year: “Truthfully, when I get to golf tournaments, and when we have a week like this week, coming from cooler temperatures last week, I am trying to get acclimated and rest. Rest is going to be the key around here, because you're losing so much fluids and so many electrolytes and different things. You're trying to stay hydrated.” Experience of playing in this climate, as well as not quite being in the draining leaderboard battle last week, should be helpful this week. Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players has been selected. Paul Casey
Casey finished down in 31st position last week (not a disadvantage for this week), but his previous form had been very strong with top-15 finishes in five of six starts this year including a DP World Tour event. He leads the greens in regulation stats over the 18 LIV Golf rounds this year and as a player who is very strong with mid- to long irons, this is a course that strongly suits his game. He was 2nd here in the 2019 Singapore Open to show that he plays well on this course and in this climate, something that is also evidenced by his two DP World Tour wins in China. Abraham Ancer
A closing 64 saw the Mexican secure a backdoor top-10 finish last week. It continues his impressive run of form, having won the LIV Golf Hong Kong in March and a top-10 finish in the LIV Golf Miami. That win in Hong Kong confirms his ability to compete in this region, as was his top-5 finishes in the CIMB Classic in Malaysia in 2018 and the HSBC Champions in 2019 and his top-10 finish in the LIV Golf Bangkok in 2022, his only other appearances in this region apart from last year’s event. Tyrrell Hatton
After the fanfare of his signing to LIV Golf on the eve of the season, it is understandable that he has performed lower than expectations so far in the six LIV Golf events. The same can be said for Adrian Meronk and Jon Rahm (who remains winless, but has at least finished in the top-10 in every LIV Golf event). Hatton has finished in the top-15 in five of six LIV Golf events with a best finish of 4th, so he is clearly close to contention each week. That was certainly the case at the Masters where he eventually finished 9th. He was never a frequent competitor in events in Asia the DP World Tour, but he does look like a likely winner this year. Tips 1-2; -2.20pts 1pt e.w. Paul Casey 33/1 (available generally 1/4 1-2-3-4-5) 32nd 1pt e.w. Abraham Ancer 28/1 (Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook 1/4 1-2-3-4-5) 10th 1pt e.w. Tyrrell Hatton 14/1 (Boyle Sports 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6) 5th
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