5 golfers to watch at LIV Golf Tucson

As the second season of LIV Golf continues later this week, all eyes will be on the The Gallery Golf Club in Tucson, Arizona, a new venue announced by the Tour last year.

This venue also hosted the Match Play Championship for two years, with current LIV Golf member and former Open Champion Henrik Stenson claiming the winner’s trophy in 2007.

LIV golf has created quite a stir in the golfing world, having snatched a host of superstars and talented players with lucrative deals. On that note, let’s take a look into the five players to keep an eye on come Friday.

Good vibes heading into Tucson 😁

#LIVGolf https://t.co/vhCxAPfcNc

Players to keep tabs on in Tucson

#1 Charles Howell III

The 43-year-old won the event at Mayakoba last month, so he will have something of a momentum going into Tucson. It was his sixth start at LIV, and he hit seven birdies through 10 holes en route to his victory.

Howell, who has won only three times in 23 seasons and 607 starts on the PGA Tour, did not have a single bogey as he won by four shots. It was a much-needed boost for the American, who had previously played 13 times in Mayakoba when it hosted the PGA Tour event from 2007 until last November but could only manage a best of a T4 finish.

An absolute beautiful display of skill from our man Charles Howell III (-16).

Charles takes home the individual win in Mayakoba. 🇲🇽

#LIVGolf #CrushersGC https://t.co/Vqy1qRBcpW

#2 Joaquín Niemann

Niemann is one of the most exciting talents around. Already a two-time PGA Tour winner, he finished T11 in Mexico, beating some of the most experienced players in the business. He did pretty well in the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series, with top-five finishes in Boston, Bangkok and Jeddah, while finishing seventh on the Individual Champion points list. Currently ranked 26th in the OWGR, Niemann will be aiming for a good showing in Tucson.

Special week in Mayakoba with the #elitejuniortour 🇨🇱 here and being able to finish third for @torquegc_ in team standings. 🔩💨 Grateful to be able to do what we do! #livgolf https://t.co/ijxwY8fpbU

#3 Cameron Smith

The Australian, who had an amazing 2022 on the PGA Tour is definitely one of the favorites. Cameron Smith managed a T4 finish in Mexico last month and will be looking to improve on that position.

Having been roped in with one of the most expensive signing fees (reportedly $140 million), the World No.5 and last years' Players winner was banned by the PGA from defending his title at Sawgrass this year. He notched up his first LIV Golf Invitational Series victory in Chicago last year and will want to add further accolades.

#4 Matthew Wolff

Still only 23, the up-and-coming American has caught everyone's eyes already. He finished second at the US Open in 2020 and is a recipient of the Haskins Award in 2019.

Wolff finished ninth in Mexico, a position on which will look to improve on. He has recorded three top 10s since his LIV Golf debut, most notably finishing T2 in Bedminster, two shots behind winner Henrik Stenson, so that is saying something.

Wolff hunting birds 🐦
@matthew_wolff5 tied for 2nd in total birdies at #LIVGolfMayakoba

Tucson up next 👀

#SmashGC | @livgolf_league | #LIVGolf https://t.co/XenfzoIRNa

#5 Bryson DeChambeau

The eight- time PGA Tour winner and 2020 US Open champion is a favorite for any tournament. But the transition to LIV has not been smooth for the 29-year-old American who is yet to notch up a win since he signed for a fee of $125 million.

He finished T23 at Mayakoba, leading many to believe that he has lost his edge. But it would be foolish to rule him out, especially since it is the early days of LIV. One of the strongest drivers in the world, DeChambeau will be looking to shut out hios critics at Tucson.

Time to Crush it 💣 @Crushers_GC https://t.co/qQF1APt4zz