LIV Golf Korea 2025 Preview, Picks & Analysis

LIV Golf heads to South Korea this week with several of its leading lights still licking their wounds after The Masters.

US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau started the final round two shots behind Rory McIlroy. By the time he walked off the second green he was one in front. There were many who thought that McIlroy might fold under the onslaught we expected from DeChambeau but the American made a series of poor decisions, none more so than at the third hole, a par four he could have reached with his drive. Instead, he hit an iron and ended up dropping a shot while McIlroy went full tilt with a driver and birdied the hole.

DeChambeau was the one who crumbled, hitting a succession of extremely poor iron shots and struggling on the lightning-fast greens.

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In the end, it was former Masters champion Patrick Reed who was left to fly the flag for LIV. But although he finished in third place, just two shots behind McIlroy and Justin Rose, he never seriously looked like winning.

Joaquin Niemann, the best player in the world according to Phil Mickelson, finished 11 shots behind McIlroy at Augusta. His record in the majors is woeful. Now don’t get me wrong, while I take issue with Mickelson’s absurd claims, there is no doubt whatsoever that Niemann is a very fine golfer. He has enjoyed huge success with LIV but has also gone out of his way to play around the world in his pursuit of the ranking points that will allow him to compete in the sport’s majors. And for that he is to be commended. But I believe he would be a better player if he returned to the PGA Tour and started taking part in 72-hole tournaments again.

The Masters represented a poor week for LIV. 

Brooks Koepka missed the cut. So did Sergio Garcia, who had entered the tournament claiming that he was playing well enough to win and again making noises about wanting to play for Europe in the Ryder Cup later this year. Mickelson missed too many greens and fairways and is now starting to look like the 54-year-old golfer he is.

Bubba Watson, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton all finished on three under par. Rahm and Watson were never in contention. Hatton got himself into a great position after 36 holes but quickly went backwards in the third round as his frustration got the better of him once again.

Charl Schwartzel made the cut but putted like a drain for all four days.

Dustin Johnson now looks like yesterday’s man. It surprised nobody that he joined Cameron Smith in also missing the cut.

There are some golfers who seem to have benefitted from joining LIV but it has to be said that for others it has been the wrong move. Rahm insists that he still considers himself to be a top-10 golfer but the evidence suggests otherwise. When Smith made the move he was riding high in the world rankings. Now he looks like an also-ran.

Apart from DeChambeau and Koepka, who have both won majors since defecting to the rebel tour, the only other player whose form does not appear to have suffered is Hatton, who has continued to enjoy considerable success on the DP World Tour and who looks to be a shoo-in for the Ryder Cup.

DeChambeau will be smarting from his disappointing finish at Augusta. He is one of the hardest-working professionals in the game and you can be certain that he will have been hitting thousands of golf balls since holing the final putt at Augusta. He is probably the man to beat in South Korea.

When Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin announced that he was joining LIV I felt that he was making a massive mistake but he actually appears to be thriving and could be worth keeping an eye on this week.

Form Guide:

Joaquin Niemann has been the dominant force on LIV Golf and after a disappointing Masters will be hoping for another victory.

The Course:

Jack Nicklaus Golf Club was designed by the 18-time major champion and opened in 2010. It hosted the Presidents Cup in 2015 and features plenty of water hazards. It is a par 72 measuring 7,450 yards.

Prize Money:

The winner will collect a cheque for $4m.

To Win:

Bryson DeChambeau. Has a point to prove

Each Way:

Tom McKibbin. Made a bright start to LIV career

Each Way:

Joaquin Niemann. Will b there or thereabouts

Five to Follow:

Bryson DeChambeau. The great entertainer

Tom McKibbin. Underrated

Joaquin Niemann. Dominant force

Jon Rahm. Always there or thereabouts

Patrick Reed. Ferocious competitor