The final event in the 2023 LIV Golf League Season is now here, MIAMI.
The format of the LIV Team Championship at Trump National Doral is what sets it apart from other high-paying, no-cut events in the circuit. Teams earn points throughout the year for finishing each regular season event. Teams are seeded according to their season-long points and compete in stroke play and match play for three days. The top four teams are exempt from the first round of the quarterfinals.
Captains will play captains in singles matches. Three players are then split into a second singles match (alternate shots) and another foursomes match. No ties. The team with the most points advances to Saturday. It’s that simple? You can learn more about here.
The fact that teams with higher seeds get to choose their opponents for the quarters and semifinals is an interesting twist. This allows for some trash talking, as was evident during the press conference on Tuesday featuring the captains from teams Nos. 5-12.
Louis Oosthuizen was the first to choose Kevin Na’s Iron Heads as his team. This is the team who has been dead last for most of this season. Su-Ann Heng of the LIV broadcast and moderator for the captain selections tried to make Oosthuizen bring the heat by asking him to give a reason why he chose the Iron Heads. She said, “You don’t have to be nice.” You can have some fun.”
The South African, who was soft-spoken, said that he “didn’t really want” to play against any other team. He then apologized to Na for claiming his team had the “better southern African” (Scott Vincent) on their side. Zing! The next captain was Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC, who chose the Majesticks, a three-way team consisting of Ian Poulter (co-captain), Henrik Stenson, and Lee Westwood.
Stenson snorted, “I think they want a day off on Saturday.”
Cam Smith’s Ripper GC choosing Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks GC made for a dull exchange. Brooks Koepka, Smash GC and Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC were left to face off.
Koepka said to the laughter of a large room, “I really didn’t have much choice in this.” “Yeah. So we’re playing or I’m stuck playing with Phil and the rest are playing with other guys.” It’s going to be a great matchup.”
Mickelson praised Koepka for his year as PGA champion, and two-time LIV winner before adding: “There are a lot other guys I’d rather play against.” So, I have my work cut out.
Here are the first round matches for Friday’s Quarterfinal Round.
Fireballs GC vs. Majesticks GC
- Singles: Sergio Garcia vs. Henrik Stenson
- Singles: Eugenio Chacarra vs. Sam Horsfield
- Foursomes: Abraham Ancer/Carlos Ortiz vs. Ian Poulter/Lee Westwood
HyFlyers GC vs. Smash GC
- Singles – Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickon
- Singles: Jason Kokrak vs. Cameron Tringale
- Foursomes – James Piot/Brendan Steele vs. Chase Koepka/Matthew Wolff
Stinger GC vs. Iron Heads GC
- Singles: Louis Oosthuizen vs. Kevin Na
- Singles: Branden Grace vs. Scott Vincent
- Foursomes: Dean Burmester/Charl Schwartzel vs. Sihwan Kim/Danny Lee
Ripper GC vs. Claeeks GC
- Singles: Cam Smith Vs. Martin Kaymer
- Singles: Marc Leishman vs. Richard Bland
- Foursomes : Matt Jones/Jediah Moor vs. Graeme McDowell/Bernd Wesberger
