The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia plays host to the penultimate event of the LIV Golf League regular season.
The 54 strong field will not contain Graeme McDowell after a doping violation relating to a decongestant medication. He will serve a one tournament ban and will be available to return for Chicago. The timing of his ban couldn’t be worse as both his individual and team rankings of Smash GC need all hands on deck for the final two events before the playoffs. John Catlin will fill in for McDowell in West Virginia as he togs out for Smash GC for the three days around The Old White course.
Bryson DeChambeau comes into Greenbrier as defending champion having shot a historic 58 last year propelling him to victory. Joaquin Niemann, Torque GC captain is one of six players still mathematically in with a shout of claiming the individual season crown. Niemann has led the table since victory at the opening event in Mayakoba and can wrap up the title this week with a victory and if Jon Rahm finishes below second place.
“I like it for family, as well,” said Bryson as he reflected on his exploits at last year’s event. “I can tell you quickly, this place feels like I’m a kid again. You get out here and you see nature, you see the trails, you see people going on a hike.
“I grew up in Fresno. We’d go up to the mountains every once in a while, and that’s kind of what it feels like a little bit. Obviously, it’s more forested here and whatnot with different trees. But what I can tell you is, yes, 58 – 61, 58 on the weekend, won last year. I mean, shoot, couldn’t be more special. Being here in general is just an amazing experience that you feel at home. It’s a really cool feeling for me to come back every single time I’ve been here, whether it was previous to LIV or now, and still just feel incredibly comfortable. The people here, fantastic.”
The race for top three bonuses heats up too with as many as 16 players in contention for the lucrative end of season spots. The latter end of the rankings also has plenty of jeopardy as players fight to secure their team spots for next season and avoid relegation from the League.
As for the race for the team title, the only teams that can earn the top seeding spot for the playoffs are the Crushers, Legion XIII, Ripper and Torque, who won the 2023 team portion here. A win at Greenbrier however would secure the number one seed for Crushers GC.
The Old White Course will put up a par-70, 7299-yard challenge for the players over the 54 holes. It will play a 34-36 with both par-5s coming on the back nine. A pair of threes on either nine also await the pin hunters to attack but the longer back nine should provide much of the drama over the weekend as the field jostle for positioning in this, the sharp end of the regular season.
The Friday afternoon shotgun start kicks off the action at 1.15pm in White Sulphur Springs and the group away from the first is a big one. Jon Rahm will be joined by DeChambeau and Niemann in a marquee grouping. Ahead on the second another clash of the captains sees Brooks Koepka, Cam Smith and Bubba Watson begin their tilt at the week.