Brooks Koepka vs. Bryson DeChambeau is the hottest rivalry in golf. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel; AP Photo/Mark Humphrey LIV Golf is set to host its second event this weekend, in Portland.
Since its debut event in London, the Saudi-backed golf league has added several more star players. While the field still leaves much to be desired, chances are the roster will only grow stronger. LIV Golf is back this week, hosting its second event at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club just outside of Portland, Oregon.
Since the Saudi-backed league made its debut two weeks ago, the sport has shifted quite a bit. The threat LIV Golf presented to the PGA Tour was greater than many thought, and in the days between the first event and this weekend’s, several more big names from the PGA Tour have joined the new league, including the likes of Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Patrick Reed. Additionally, LIV Golf is filling out some of the edges of its roster with younger PGA Tour talents, such as Matthew Wolff, Talor Gooch, and Abraham Ancer.
While they might not be the biggest names in golf just yet, they are all proven PGA Tour players that haven’t yet reached their primes, and they will go a long way to make the field of LIV’s second event stronger than its debut. Still, even with the additions LIV made between London and Portland, the league has a pretty long way to go before it can offer the elite competition that is undoubtedly a part of its long-term plan. Just 20 of the 48 players in this week’s field are ranked in the Top 100 right now, including just two players — Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka — in the Top 20.
That said, with more players likely to consider the jump as the season goes on, LIV fields should only get stronger from here. Until then, here are 12 names you’ll likely know heading into this week’s LIV Golf event. Brooks KoepkaBrooks Koepka reacts after a shot at the 2022 US Open.
AP Photo/Robert F. BukatyWorld rank: No. 19Best major finish: 4 wins — PGA Championship (2018, 2019), US Open (2017, 2018)LIV Golf team: Smash GC (captain)One thing to know: Brooks Koepka is one of the latest former PGA pros to make an about-face on their LIV Golf stance.
“They’ll get their guys,” Koepka said of the upstart league back in February. “Somebody will sell out and go to it. “At his first press conference with LIV Golf, Koepka refused to go into details regarding his change of heart.
“Just my opinion, man,” Koepka told reporters ahead of the Portland event. “My opinion changed. “Bryson DeChambeauBryson DeChambeau.
AP Photo/Jeff RobersonWorld rank: No. 31Best major finish: Win — US Open (2020)LIV Golf team: Crushers GC (captain)One thing to know: Bryson DeChambeau has been one of the biggest stories in golf over the past few years, bombing drives further than any other player on the PGA Tour. As the new team captain of Crushers GC, his team name certainly fits his style of play.
Phil MickelsonPhil Mickelson plays a shot at the Farmers Insurance Open. AP Photo/Denis PoroyWorld rank: No. 84Best major finish: 6 wins — Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), PGA Championship (2005, 2021), Open Championship (2013)LIV Golf team: Hy Flyers GC (captain)One thing to know: Phil Mickelson is still the biggest name in all of LIV Golf and will again captain Hy Flyers GC.
This time around, he’ll have three new teammates, with Bernd Wiesberger, Matthew Wolff, and Itthipat Buranatanyarat filling out his roster. Dustin JohnsonDustin Johnson watches his shot during the first round of the LIV Golf Invitational in London. AP Photo/Alastair GrantWorld rank: No.
17Best major finish: 2 wins — Masters (2020), US Open (2016)LIV Golf team: 4 Aces GC (captain)One thing to know: Dustin Johnson remains the top-ranked player on the LIV Golf roster. With many of those above him in the rankings, including Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, and Collin Morikawa, pledging their commitment to the PGA Tour, it’s unclear if that fact will change any time soon. Patrick ReedPatrick Reed plays a shot during a practice round ahead of the 2022 US Open.
AP Photo/Julio CortezWorld rank: No. 39Best major finish: Win — Masters (2018)LIV Golf team: 4 Aces GCOne thing to know: Patrick Reed is another PGA Tour mainstay making his debut this weekend at LIV Golf’s event in Portland. With teammates Dustin Johnson and Talor Gooch, Reed and the 4 Aces are the only team in LIV Golf to boast three players ranked in the top 50 in the world.
No other team has more than one, and half of the 12 teams have zero. Louis OosthuizenLouis Oosthuizen plays his tee shot at the 8th hole of Augusta National at the 2022 Masters. AP Photo/Matt SlocumWorld rank: No.
21Best major finish: Win — Open Championship (2010)LIV Golf team: Stinger GC (captain)One thing to know: Louis Oosthuizen captained Stinger GC to victory at the first LIV Golf event in London, but was the only player on his team to not finish on the podium, with Charl Schwartzel taking first, Hennie du Plessis finishing second, and Branden Grace in third. Ian PoulterIan Poulter watches his shot at the 2022 Zurich Classic. AP Photo/Gerald HerbertWorld rank: No.
96Best major finish: 2nd — Open Championship (2008)LIV Golf team: Majesticks GCOne thing to know: Ian Poulter was the captain of Majesticks GC for the London event, leading the team to a third-place finish in the team portion of the tournament alongside fellow Englishmen Lee Westwood, Sam Horsfield, and Laurie Canter. This week the same four men will make up the team, but Westwood will take up the captaincy from Poulter. The intricacies of roster decisions among LIV Golf teams are still quite murky.
Sergio GarciaSergio Garcia plays a shot at the 2022 US Open. AP Photo/Robert F. BukatyWorld rank: No.
63Best major finish: Win — Masters (2017)LIV Golf team: Fireballs GC (captain)One thing to know: Sergio Garcia has won just once on the PGA Tour since his Masters win in 2017. Still, given his standing as one of the greatest Ryder Cup players of all time, Garcia remains one of the bigger draws LIV Golf has to offer. At his press conference ahead of the Portland event, Garcia said he hoped that he’d still be able to compete on Ryder Cup teams, though given the relationship between LIV, the PGA, and the European Tour, that possibility remains in doubt for now.
Matthew WolffMatthew Wolff reacts after a shot at the 2022 Travelers Championship. AP Photo/Seth WenigWorld rank: No. 77Best major finish: 2nd — US Open (2020)LIV Golf team: Hy Flyers GCOne thing to know: Matthew Wolff is a good catch for LIV Golf — a young player still ahead of his prime that has already made waves at the highest level of the sport, including two top-five finishes at majors in 2020.
Abraham AncerAbraham Ancer chips onto the green at the 2022 PGA Championship. AP Photo/Sue OgrockiWorld rank: No. 22Best major finish: T8 — PGA Championship (2021)LIV Golf team: Fireballs GCOne thing to know: Abraham Ancer is another strong addition for LIV Golf ahead of its Portland event.
He stands as the fourth-highest-ranked player on the roster, behind just Koepka, Johnson, and Oosthuizen. Kevin NaKevin Na waves after a shot at the 2022 US Open. AP Photo/Julio CortezWorld rank: No.
33Best major finish: 7th — US Open (2016)LIV Golf team: Iron Heads GC (captain)One thing to know: Kevin Na’s Iron Heads GC finished last in the team rankings at LIV Golf’s debut event, with the team ending the weekend +16. Na will hope to improve on that this weekend in Portland with the help of two new teammates — Phachara Khongwatmai and Sihwan Kim. Talor GoochTalor Gooch tips his cap after sinking his putt on the 9th hole at the 2022 PGA Championship.
AP Photo/Sue OgrockiWorld rank: No. 38Best major finish: T14 — Masters (2022)LIV Golf team: 4 Aces GCOne thing to know: Like Wolff and Ancer, Talor Gooch is not yet the biggest name in golf, but he’s a player on the verge of being considered among the elites. As one of the highest-ranked players in the field this weekend, thanks to his strong play on the PGA Tour, Gooch was a captain at the first LIV Golf event, but in Portland he’ll play under Dustin Johnson with 4 Aces GC.
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