LIV Golf Hong Kong 2025 Preview, Picks & Analysis

LIV Golf’s third tournament of the season takes place in Hong Kong this week, with Joaquin Niemann and Adrian Meronk having each claimed an early-season victory.

This tournament was won 12 months ago by Mexico’s Abraham Ancer. His only win on the PGA Tour went to extra holes and he had to go to extra time again in Hong Kong, where he defeated Cameron Smith and Paul Casey with a birdie on the first playoff hole.

After rounds of 63 and 62, Ancer struggled in the final round with a 72, which opened the door for Casey (64) and Smith (66) to join him on top of the leaderboard at 13 under. Niemann shot the low-round of the day, a 7-under 63 to finish T-4 alongside Carlos Ortiz, one shot outside of the playoff.

"Man, I made that so hard on myself. The ball-striking wasn't there, but mentally I was really strong, so I felt really good. I felt like I was not going to give up. That round could have gone south really quickly," Ancer explained. "Hit some good bunker shots, some good putts that I needed to and just kept myself in it and hit the right shot at the right time there in the playoff."

But with The Masters just around the corner, it would take a brave man to bet against Bryson DeChambeau this week.

He had a sensational season in 2024, finishing second to Xander Schauffele in the US PGA at Valhalla before breaking Rory McIlroy’s heart as he won the US Open. DeChambeau is a golfer who divides opinion but his performances in last season’s majors won him a whole new army of fans. 

DeChambeau will be licking his lips at the prospect of tackling this golf course. It is short, and that means he actually doesn’t need to keep reaching for the driver. Expect to see some very low scores.

All the usual suspects will be in action, including Jon Rahm, Smith, Meronk, Sergio Garcia, DeChambeau, Niemann and Talor Gooch. 

There has been some controversy about LIV golfers being excluded from the majors but once again Niemann has received an invitation to play in The Masters next month and there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that he has the game to win at Augusta National.

Niemann, the Chilean former world No 1 amateur, has expressed concern that he might miss the majors after competing in LIV Golf events and seeing his world ranking drop outside the top 50 that automatically qualify - he has now fallen to 77th, which is patently ridiculous.

The decision to allow him to play at Augusta National follows his victory at the Asian Tour’s PIF Saudi International in December. While many of his fellow LIV golfers have been moaning, Niemann has taken every opportunity open to him to compete in tournaments in which he is allowed to compete.

He has already won on the LIV Tour this season and is one of their most consistent players.

Keep an eye on Branden Grace, who arrives in Hong Kong fresh from a decent performance at the South African Open. Grace is a beautiful ball striker but has struggled on the greens in recent times.

The Course:

Hong Kong Golf Club is a par 70 measuring just 6,547 yards and that means we are going to see some very low scores. The fairways are tree-lined but the man who can keep the ball in play may well fancy breaking 60.

Form Guide:

This course is made for Bryson DeChambeau. If he can keep the ball in play he could bring it to his knees. It is a course that should also suit the straight-hitting Branden Grace.

To Win:

Bryson DeChambeau. Never a dull moment

Each Way:

Joaquin Niemann. A class act

Each Way:

Branden Grace. Could do really well here

Five to Follow:

Bryson DeChambeau. Could destroy this golf course

Joaquin Niemann. So consistent

Branden Grace. All depends on his putting

Jon Rahm. Will surely contend again

Brooks Koepka. Sensational ball striker