Golf is gearing up for an eagerly awaited return to the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, where the 2023 regular season will culminate from October 13 to 15. This event not only marks the 13th tournament of the league’s inaugural full season but also sets the stage for the Team Championship, making it a crucial moment for golfers worldwide.
The upcoming competition at King Abdullah Economic City will feature an impressive lineup of 13 major winners, adding to the anticipation. Notable participants include Brooks Koepka, the 2023 PGA Championship winner and a member of the 2023 US Ryder Cup Team, 2022 Open Champion Cameron Smith, golf legend Phil Mickelson.
As the season approaches its climax, there’s a lot at stake for golfers in the individual standings. Those at the top have their sights on securing the coveted top spot, while players further down the rankings face a fierce battle to ensure their future in the league. Players ranked 45th and below by the end of the season will find themselves in the dreaded “Drop Zone,” facing relegation and the loss of their LIV Golf status for the upcoming year.
Currently, Australian golfer Cameron Smith leads the individual standings with an impressive 170 points, thanks to his victories in London and Bedminster. Hot on his heels is the in-form American, Talor Gooch, with 149 points, boasting three individual wins this season. The competition remains fierce, with seven other contenders, including Patrick Reed (2018 Masters champion), Brooks Koepka (2022 LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah winner), Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau, who stunned the golf world with a sensational 58 at LIV Golf Greenbrier earlier this year.
For players finishing in the top 24 in the overall standings, their positions in the LIV Golf League for the next season are secured. However, those ending up in the “Open Zone,” positions 25 to 44, may face potential trade or release by their respective teams. The most challenging scenario awaits players ranked 45 and below, as they find themselves in the perilous “Drop Zone.” They will be automatically relegated but will have an opportunity to reclaim their spot in the league through the promotional tournament, with hopes of returning for the 2024 season.
Apart from the individual race, every golfer in the 48-player field has a compelling reason to perform well. The final team standings following LIV Golf Jeddah will determine the top 12 seeds for the LIV Golf Team Championship in Miami the following week. The top four teams will receive first-round byes, adding another layer of competition and motivation for the golfers.
After 11 events, 4Aces GC, featuring Johnson, Reed, Peter Uihlein, and Pat Perez, occupies the top spot in the team standings with 172 points, secured through wins in Adelaide and London. Torque GC, led by Chilean stars Joaquin Niemann and Mito Pereira, Colombian Sebastian Munoz, and Spanish rookie David Puig, is a close second with 163 points, clinching victories in Orlando, D.C., Andalucia, and Greenbrier.
The all-South African Stinger GC, featuring major champions Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, along with Branden Grace and Dean Burmester, currently stands in third place with 156 points. DeChambeau’s Crushers GC (146 points), including Paul Casey, Charles Howell III, and Anirban Lahiri, maintains a three-point edge over RangeGoats GC (143 points), thanks to five top-three finishes this season, largely driven by standout performances by Gooch, Harold Varner III, Thomas Pieters, and captain Watson.
The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the LIV Golf regular season, and fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the action at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. With major winners and rising stars competing for top honors, the event promises to deliver captivating golf and thrilling moments that will leave a lasting impression on the sport.