The LIV season moves to Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Golf Club with Abraham Ancer looking to defend the crown he won last year while Patrick Reed returns to the venue he won the Hong Kong Open at last year shooting a final round 59.
Key Stats/Skill Set Required
- Driving Accuracy
- Putting Average
- Three Putt Avoidance
- Approach 100-150 Yards
- GIR
- Birdies
Hong Kong Golf Club is a classic course that dates back 114 years and requires more than anything precision off the tee and precision with your irons. The penalty for missing fairways is large and it is similar for missing the greens. When on the short stuff though, scoring is relatively easy.
Key Correlation Courses
- Valderama
The best player on the LIV side of proceedings and one of the best players on the planet, Joaquin Niemann started the season well with a win in Adelaide and can go back-to-back in Hong Kong. He leads the tour in GIR while he ranks 2nd in Three-Putt Avoidance and 9th in Birdies. Niemann finished just a single shot out of the three-man playoff in this event last year.
Sergio Garcia’s love of Valderama suggests he will thrive in the claustrophobic Hong Kong Golf Club setup. He won at Valderama three times and finished Top 10 in his other two starts. Garcia performed poorly here last year but has a T-6 in the Hong Kong Open. Ranks 2nd in Driving Accuracy, 4th in Putting Average and 9th in Birdies.
Dean Burmester is a hugely underrated South African who is a major runner this week. More known for his power than accuracy off the tee, he nevertheless profiles very nicely. Rank 2nd in Approach 100-150 Yards, 4th in Three-Putt Avoidance, 4th in GIR and 5th in Birdies. Form solid with a T-4 in Riyadh.
There is no better value play this week than Adrian Meronk. The Polish star leads LIV in Three-Putt Avoidance and Birdies while he ranks 3rd in Putting Average and GIR. He won at Valderama in 2023 and his form is strong with a win at Riyadh. Should be half his quote.
We are going back to the well with the veteran Swede, Henrik Stenson. Accuracy is essential here and Stenson leads LIV in accuracy from the tee. He is in good form after finishing T-12 in Adelaide. Enjoyed a T-8 finish here last year. Big chance at huge odds.
There are seven Australian and New Zealand players teeing it up and Wade Ormsby is monster value. Ormsby ranks Top 10 in Driving Accuracy this season.
Abraham Ancer won this event last year and his accuracy from the tee will serve him well again. Should be able to best Carlos Ortiz.