Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman practise ahead of LIV Golf Invitational Boston. LIV Golf

By Matt Smith
The golfers primed for the fourth LIV Golf International Series event, which begins on Friday at The International on the Tom Fazio-designed Oaks Course, which opened in 2001.

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Last year, the Oaks Course underwent a restoration by Tripp Davis. “Our principal objective was to modernize the course,” Davis said of the tree-lined par-70 layout that will play to just under 7,000 yards.

It’s not a familiar venue for the 48 players in the field, but early reviews are favourable.

“The turf conditions are immaculate,” said LIV Golf newcomer and India No. 1 Anirban Lahiri after a practice round this week. “It’s a nice layout. It will make for some nice entertainment this week. You will see a lot of birdies. There’s a few hard holes. There’s some very, very pretty holes, very gorgeous holes.

“Like on TV, I think it’s going to look stunning as well … I know playing it is going to be very much a lot of fun.”

Lahiri is among the six players making their LIV Golf debuts this week. Not surprising, the highest-ranked player in that group leads the LIV Golf Power Rankings.

TOP FIVE PLAYERS FOR BOSTON

1. CAMERON SMITH Henrik Stenson showed in Bedminster that a newcomer can have quick success on LIV Golf. Easy to imagine the world No. 2 achieving the same thing in Boston. As Smith said on Wednesday in his introductory press conference: “I’m playing some of the best golf of my life at the moment.”

2. DUSTIN JOHNSON Ranks second in the individual points standings and fourth in total prize earnings (the three players above him are the first three individual champs). DJ already has raised trophies on the LIV podium but only as captain. Of his nine rounds on LIV, seven were under par and the other two at even par.

3. PATRICK REED DJ’s 4 Aces teammate has been equally as good since joining LIV in Portland. He has two top 5 finishes and is collectively 16-under. If the putter stays hot — he tied for fewest putts needed at Bedminster — he’ll be in contention again Sunday.

4. JOAQUIN NIEMANN Makes his LIV Golf debut in excellent form, with two top 10s and two other top 20s among his last five worldwide starts. The new Torque captain, always solid from tee to green, made strides with his putting last year but hasn’t been as effective in 2022.

5. CARLOS ORTIZ Backed up his runner-up finish at Portland by nearly making the podium again at Bedminster (finishing fourth, one stroke behind DJ). He’s a combined 19-under in his two LIV starts and has made Sergio Garcia a very happy captain of Fireballs.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER Would’ve been inclined to put Matthew Wolff in the top five based on his first two LIV finishes but not sure how The International will suit his game.
You could well see a third member of 4 Aces in the top five — Talor Gooch is three-for-three in top 10 finishes.
Paul Casey finished sixth at Bedminster on his LIV debut, shooting 66 in the final round. Looks like he’s shaken off any lingering rust from his lengthy absence due to back issues.
Casey’s Majesticks teammates Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood would each love to repeat their ball-striking performances at Bedminster.

TOP FOUR TEAMS FOR BOSTON

1. 4 ACES The current line-up is unbeaten, so no way they belong anywhere else but atop the team projections. The Johnson-Reed duo is the best 1-2 punch on any squad, while Gooch joins DJ as the only two LIV players with top 10 finishes in the first three events.

2. PUNCH The all-Aussie team gets a significant facelift with new captain Smith and sidekick Marc Leishman joining the team. Adding that kind of physical talent is one thing, but it should also pay dividends in team chemistry. No one wants to disappoint the world No. 2.

3. CRUSHERS This is the week captain Bryson DeChambeau’s team finally makes some noise. The International should set up well for ball-strikers Paul Casey and Charles Howell III, and the addition of new LIV member Anirban Lahiri provides another veteran presence.

4. FIREBALLS They’ve been third in the past two events, so this would be a disappointing slide out of the money position. Can Carlos Ortiz continue to carry the team? If so — and if Abraham Ancer gets untracked — then maybe it’ll be a step up, not a step down.

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