The LIV Tour is back up and running this week and thoughts are turning to who can finish the season at the top player with just this week’s get-together at Greenbrier in West Virginia and next month’s in Chicago to go.
Most eyes will be on Jon Rahm, not only because he came out on top of the most recent gathering in Staffordshire, but also because he allowed a four-shot lead to disappear in the final eight holes of the Olympic tournament and even fell out of the medals.
The Spaniard remains favourite for another victory despite that slip-up but will have to shake off the attentions of leader Joaquin Niemann and Bryston DeChambeau, who carded a 58 in the final round at this week’s venue last year.
- JOAQUIN NIEMANN TO WIN & EACH-WAY
- PAUL CASEY TO WIN & EACH-WAY
- MARC LEISHMAN TO WIN & EACH-WAY
Niemann Can Take Control
Joaquin Niemann established a firm grip on the LIV Golf leaderboard when he won two of the opening three tournaments at Mayakoba and Jeddah and the Chilean, who was ninth in the Olympic competition, has been the man to beat for the rest of the campaign.
He has finished in the top three in three of this last six LIV tournaments and been in the top 10 in all but two of this season’s tests and, while DeChambeau made mincemeat of Greenbrier last year, the course record of the man at the top of the leaderboard cannot be sniffed at either.
He was too strong for the field at the West Virginia venue when he claimed a six-shot victory at A Military tribute at the Greenbrier on the PGA Tour in 2019, carding a second-round 62 and a closing 64.
And he could have won the tournament a year earlier had he not slipped to a fifth-placed finish following a disappointing third round of 72.
He is the man to be shot at as he sits on top of the leaderboard, but he should be focused on finishing the job and has a great chance this week.
JOAQUIN NIEMANN TO WIN & EACH-WAY
Casey’s Improved Putting A Big Plus
Paul Casey is one name a little further down the market who could make an impression after a few recent encouraging displays.
The former Ryder Cup star seems to have got to grips with a few putting issues that have affected him lately and will be encouraged by three top-10 finishes in his last four outings, including fifth at the JCB Golf & Country Club in Staffordshire last time out.
Ninth-placed finishes at both Nashville and Houston show he should be respected and he was also second in Singapore and fourth in Miami.
PAUL CASEY TO WIN & EACH-WAY
Rest Should Boost Leishman’s Hopes
Australia’s Marc Leishman looked to be going great guns at the last LIV gathering but he had to drop out of the Staffordshire showdown after a first-round 68 when he had to undergo emergency appendix surgery.
That was three weeks ago, and there is a strong chance that he will have benefited greatly from the rest, so don’t rule him out of making a strong return.
He has finished in the top 18 in four of his last five starts and could emerge from the back end of the field at a big price.
MARC LEISHMAN TO WIN EACH-WAY
