The individual points competition in the LIV Golf Series heads to a climax in Illinois this weekend, with the title yet to be decided. Which golfer will rise to the challenge and claim the glory in Chicago?
Bryson DeChambeau returns to defend his title after a one-stroke victory over Anirban Lahiri and Marc Leishman.
Current top-ten in the individual points standings after 12 rounds:
1. Jon Rahm 195.17 pts
2. Joaquin Niemann 192.20 pts
3. Tyrrell Hatton 143.49 pts
4. Sergio Garcia 135.49 pts
5. Louis Oosthuizen 129.10 pts
6. Cameron Smith 127.66 pts
7. Brooks Koepka 126.73 pts
8. Dean Burmester 95.90 pts
9. Bryson DeChambeau 93.96 pts
10. Talor Gooch 91.63 pts
These are our four selections that could win in Chicago this weekend.
Joaquin Niemann
Joaquin Niemann was in superb form at the beginning of the season on the DP World Tour and LIV Golf Tour, with results of 5th at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, victory at the ISPS Handa Australian Open, T4 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, T30 in Las Vegas, victory in Mayakoba, 3rd at the International Series in Oman (Asian Tour) and victory in Jeddah.
Niemann has continued to produce excellent results this year, placing T4 in Hong Kong, T9 in Miami, T22 at the Masters, T3 in Adelaide, T7 in Singapore, T39 at the PGA Championship, T32 in Houston, T3 in Nashville, T6 in Andalucia, T58 Open Championship, T2 in the United Kingdom, T9 at the Paris Olympics and T15 in Greenbrier.
The Chilean golfer placed T4 in 2022 and T18 in 2023 at the LIV Golf Invitational Series in Chicago.
Niemann has been on top of his game throughout the season, especially in the LIV Golf League and has claims for the title in Chicago and to become the individual points champion.
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith came close to winning twice at the start of his LIV Golf Tour season, with results of T8 in Mayakoba, T15 in Las Vegas, T41 in Jeddah, T2 in Hong Kong, W/D in Miami, T6 at the Masters, T14 in Adelaide and T2 in Singapore.
After those performances, Smith struggled with his game, finishing T63 at the PGA Championship, T48 in Houston and T32 at the U.S. Open.
However, it did not take long for Smith to regain his touch, placing T9 in Nashville, T6 in Andalucia, MC at the Open Championship, T2 in the United Kingdom, and T8 in Greenbrier.
The former Open Champion won the LIV Golf Invitational Series in Chicago in 2022 before finishing T37 in 2023.
Smith has the form to secure his second LIV Golf Chicago title this weekend.
Sergio Garcia
Sergio Garcia produced mediocre to excellent results at the start of the new LIV Golf Tour season, with results of 2nd in Mayakoba, T26 in Las Vegas, T15 in Jeddah, T38 in Hong Kong, T21 at the International Series in Macau (Asian Tour), 2nd in Miami, MC at the Masters and T40 in Adelaide.
Garcia bounced back to his best at the end of April, with results of T14 in Singapore, 5th in Houston, T12 at the U.S. Open, T18 in Nashville, victory in Andalucia, T20 in the United Kingdom and T8 in Greenbrier.
The former Masters champion placed T4 in 2022 and T14 in 2023 at the LIV Golf Invitational Series in Chicago.
Garcia has been in decent nick after his recent victory.
Talor Gooch
Talor Gooch was in great touch during the opening tournaments of the new LIV Golf Tour season, placing T15 in Mayakoba, T2 in Las Vegas, T6 in Jeddah, T21 in Hong Kong, T9 in Miami, T26 in Adelaide and 4th in Singapore.
Gooch could not maintain his level of play in his subsequent four events, finishing T60 at the PGA Championship, T15 in Houston, T42 in Nashville, and T45 in Andalucia before returning to form, placing T6 in the United Kingdom and T11 in Greenbrier.
The American golfer placed T35 in 2022 and T5 in 2023 at the LIV Golf Invitational Series in Chicago.
Gooch has been thereabouts in his last two starts and can take home the winner's cheque in Illinois come Sunday.
Format
An invitational field of 54 golfers will feature at the tournament, with a total purse of $25 million up for grabs. $4 million will go to the winner, while the player coming in last will pocket $50,000.
The players will contest 54 holes instead of 72 for all the LIV Golf Invitational Series events.
A shotgun start will occur, where the players will tee off simultaneously from different holes.
A 13-four-man team (four players each and two wild-card players) format will run concurrent, with the top three teams earning prize money.