LIV Golf Andalucia 2024 Preview, Picks & Analysis

Sergio Garcia is a man who has a point to prove this week. While many LIV golfers have been criticised for failing to attempt to qualify for The Open Championship, the Spaniard was determined to be at Royal Troon. Sadly, he came up short and will be clicking his heels next week.

The Spaniard was not the only LIV golfer to miss out - others included Graeme McDowell and Branden Grace. However, Abraham Ancer and Sam Horsfield will both be at Troon after successfully coming through 36 holes of final pre-qualifying. 

Of course, the reason they all had to go through pre-qualifying is because of their world ranking. LIV golfers do not receive ranking points from their circuit so unless they are exempt as previous major champions they now find themselves on the outside looking in.

It still astonishes me that the likes of Talor Gooch refuses to put himself out by trying to qualify for majors. It gives the impression that the huge money he earns with LIV has made him comfortable - probably because that is precisely the case.

This week the circus arrives at Valderrama. It is a fabulous golf course but for those players who will be heading to Troon next week you have to ask whether it represents the right sort of preparation.

Of course the man to beat will once again be US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, and I will be surprised if the Spanish golf fans do not turn out in force to see him attempt to reduce this incredible course to its knees. Valderrama features a lot of trees and narrow fairways and could make the American look pretty silly.

Apart from his victory at Pinehurst, DeChambeau finished second at the US PGA Championship and tied sixth at The Masters. Yes he still hits the ball vast distances but there is now so much more to his game. He won the US Open because his play on and around the greens was different class. He chipped brilliantly and holed almost everything he looked at for 72 holes. But the biggest difference was in the way he engages with the galleries - it is something that golf has been crying out for since Tiger Woods was in his prime.

Golf fans do not want to watch automatons who simply go through the motions. They want to see men and women who react to brilliant shots - and also show some passion when things go wrong.

It was fascinating to hear Tyrrell Hatton speak at Pinehurst. The course was a brute and clearly got into the heads of many golfers. Hatton said: "It is fun to watch golf having the same impact on these guys for four days as it has on me all the time."

Hatton is another who played some fine golf at Pinehurst and has continued to do so on the LIV circuit.

But apart from Garcia, the man who really needs to produce something special in his homeland this week is former world number one Jon Rahm. Inexplicably, his form has gone south since he signed that mind-boggling contract with LIV. He will not be the only one who is concerned - you can be pretty certain that his paymasters are not impressed by the return they are getting on their investment. I always believed that the 54-hole format and reduced playing schedule would not suit Rahm and it looks like I have been proved to be right.

This time last year, the Spaniard was dominating the PGA Tour and looked like winning every time he teed it up. Now he just looks like an angry young man.

Like DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka has returned to his very best form after a sustained period of peak fitness. He swings the club quite beautifully but has not putted well for much of this season. That could all change in a heartbeat.

Tournament Winners:

The inaugural event was won last year by Talor Gooch.

Form Guide:

It is hard to see beyond Bryson DeChambeau but look out for a big week from Sergio Garcia, who will be smarting from missing out on Open qualification.

The Course:

Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Valderrama is a par 71 measuring 6,900 yards and is widely regarded as one of the finest in Europe. It is a parkland course featuring many fine holes, none better than the par five 17th where players have to decide whether to risk going for the green with their second, involving a carry over a lake to a green that slopes sharply from back to front.

To Win:

Bryson DeChambeau. Genius

Each Way:

Sergio Garcia. Has a point to prove

Each Way:

Brooks Koepka. Sensational ball striker

Five to Follow:

Bryson DeChambeau. Inspired

Sergio Garcia. Loves playing in Spain

Brooks Koepka. Has no weaknesses

Tyrrell Hatton. Never a dull moment

Abraham Ancer. Straight hitter