By Matt Smith
The LIV Golf Invitational Series returns with its third instalment of the innovative tour from July 29-31 at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.
Last time out at Portland, it was a second consecutive South African celebration as Branden Grace shot 65 in the final round to triumph. In the opening event in London, it was a third-place podium finish for the 35-year-old, behind compatriots Charl Schwartzel and Hennie du Plessis. In Portland, it resulted in the biggest payday of his 15-year professional career.
Grace’s seven-under at Pumpkin Ridge gave him the individual title at the LIV Golf Invitational Portland. His 13-under total for the 54-hole event was two strokes better than Carlos Ortiz, with Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson finishing another two strokes back.
Dustin Johnson. Jamie Squire
Johnson’s 4 Aces GC claimed the team title at 23-under, seven strokes ahead of Stinger GC, the winning team in London. In winning, Grace claimed the $4 million individual prize, as well as a quarter-share of the $1.5 million second-place prize won by Stinger GC, making his total payout $4.375 million. For the two LIV Golf events, he’s now won $6.4 million.
NEW JERSEY
The South African contingent are sure to face a stiffer test in New Jersey this tome around as the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Talor Gooch, Lee Westwoood and Abraham Ancer all showed some sparkling form at the 150th Open Championship in St Andrews, and new faces Paul Casey, Henrik Stenson, Charles Howell III and Jason Kokrak will be looking to get off to a flyer on their LIV Golf debuts at Bedminster: the Trump course designed by Tom Fazio, and plays at 7,580 yards.
Every team has a LIV Golf-appointed team captain who selects his squad. All members of the four-player teams, including the captain, compete in the three-day tournament. The player with the lowest 54-hole stroke play total is the individual winner. In the team competition, the best two stroke play scores in the first two rounds count for each team. For the third and final round, the best three scores count. The lowest overall team score after 54 holes is the team winner.
ENTERTAINMENT
Just like its two predecessors LIV Golf 3 at Bedminster will be a fun-packed weekend for visitors of all ages, with live entertainment, competitions, an interactive fan village and live after-play concerts each night.
As part of each day’s start, members of the Frog-X Navy Seal Parachute Team will skydive on to the course to kick off the action. Gates open at 10am local time each day of the 1pm shotgun start.
The Fan Village will have a food festival-style atmosphere, a Kids Zone with crafts, soft play, glow-in-the-dark mini-golf putting course, and educational activations.
“Following two hugely successful events, we’re eager to bring LIV Golf’s energy and excitement to the fans at Bedminster and continue to show that LIV Golf is delivering a new kind of golf experience – one that emphasises fun and entertainment for all ages,” said Atul Khosla, President and Chief Operating Officer of LIV Golf. “Whether it’s watching some of the biggest names in golf compete in an innovative new format, introducing the sport to our youngest generation of future players or enjoying a lively atmosphere with friends and family, there’s going to be something for everyone.”
LIV Golf’s Performance Centre will feature the latest golf technology for guests to test their skills on simulator bays and the Zen Green Stage putting area. Gamers can get their fix at the Metaverse, where e-sports and virtual reality exhibits will take fans inside the game through friendly competition.
The Eco Village embraces the greener side of things with plastic-free hydro stations, bike-powered mobile-phone charging, 3D-printed golf tees made from recycled plastic, plus charity competitions.
Each evening there will be live concerts and DJs.
Of course, the main attraction takes place on the fairways and greens as the 48 ‘LIV-ers’ chase the title and prize money in New Jersey over 54 holes, with no cut.
LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster line-up
Abraham Ancer MEX
Phil Mickelson USA
Richard Bland ENG
Jediah Morgan AUS
Laurie Canter ENG
Kevin Na USA
Paul Casey ENG
Shaun Norris RSA
Eugenio Chacarra ESP
Louis Oosthuizen RSA
Bryson DeChambeau USA
Wade Ormsby AUS
Hennie du Plessis RSA
Carlos Ortiz MEX
Sergio Garcia ESP
Pat Perez USA
Talor Gooch USA
Turk Pettit USA
Branden Grace RSA
James Piot USA
Justin Harding RSA
Ian Poulter
Ian Poulter ENG
Sam Horsfield ENG
David Puig (am) ESP
Yuki Inamori JPN
Patrick Reed USA
Dustin Johnson USA
Charl Schwartzel RSA
Matt Jones AUS
Travis Smyth AUS
Sadom Kaewkanjana THA
Hudson Swafford USA
Martin Kaymer GER
Hideto Tanihara JPN
Phachara Khongwatmai THA
Peter Uihlein USA
Ryosuke Kinoshita JPN
Scott Vincent ZIM
Brooks Koepka. LIV Golf
Brooks Koepka USA
Lee Westwood ENG
Chase Koepka USA
Bernd Wiesberger AUT
Jinichiro Kozuma JPN
Matthew Wolff USA
Graeme McDowell NIR
Henrik Stenson SWE
Charles Howell III USA
Jason Kokrak USA
Full LIV Golf schedule for 2022
June 9-11 Centurion Club, Hertfordshire, England
Winner: Charl Schwartzel (RSA)
June 30-July 2 Pumpkin Ridge, Portland, Oregon, US
Winner: Branden Grace (RSA)
July 29-31 Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, New Jersey
September 2-4 The International, Boston, Massachusetts, US
September 16-18 Rich Harvest Farms, Chicago, Illinois, US
October 7-9 Stonehill, Bangkok, Thailand
October 14-16 Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
October 27-30 Trump National Golf Club Doral, Miami, Florida, US
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