It’s been nearly a month now without LIV Golf!  26 days, come Friday, to be more specific. August witnessed the likes of Brooks Koepka emerging victorious at the Old White. What about September then? Well, the golf world will soon find out as the circuit moves to the Bolingbrook Golf Club in Chicago for the Individual Championship.

The golfers will tee off on September 13, for a cut from the prize purse of the mind-boggling $25 million, as usual. But there’s a catch, the topper of the season-long leaderboard will also receive an $18 million bonus. Who then might emerge victorious at the upcoming tournament in Chicago, despite the position of the Individual champion going to either Jon Rahm or Joaquin Niemann?

Top contenders for the LIV Golf Chicago event

As has been the case with every event in the Saudi-backed league, LIV Golf Chicago will also witness a total of 54 golfers, as per the field. As they duke it out alongside each other at the host venue for the top spot, there are some golfers who are more likely to clinch the title of champion alongside the trophy.

1. Bryson DeChambeau: He’s the defending champion for the upcoming tournament, for he claimed the cup from the previous winner Cameron Smith back in 2023. Although he might not be able to emerge as the Individual champion, the golfer’s performance this season, be it on LIV Golf or the majors, has left everyone stunned. The ‘Scientist’ finished inside the top 10 in three majors, including a win at the U.S. Open, a T2 at the PGA Championship, and a T6 at the Masters. That’s not all. He also claimed six top-10 placements this season on the men’s circuit, the best of which came at Nashville with a T3.

2. Jon Rahm: One of the two athletes who has the most probability of claiming the title of the Individual Champion of 2024. He has, over the months, raked in as many as 11 top-10 finishes in all of his starts, including a win at the tourney back in the United Kingdom. This has allowed him to put up a figure of 195.17 points helping him to top the season-long leaderboard. If he finishes ahead or equal to Niemann inside the top 15 in Chicago, or inside the top 24 if the Chilean golfer places 16th or 17th, then the title is as good as his. And with his recent momentum, it would be a surprise if the golfer doesn’t aim for the top spot.

3. Joaquin Niemann: He has the best chance following the Spaniard to claim the title, but the 25-year-old will have to place himself three points more than Rahm. How? Interestingly enough, the athlete will have to rake in a top-3 finish, that too, ahead of the 2023 Masters champ. But if he is unable to do so, then his fate is solely dependent on where the Spaniard places himself on the leaderboard. Regardless of the numbers, Niemann will surely look to add another win to his Mayakoba and Jeddah victories in Chicago.

4. Tyrrell Hatton: With a T9 at the Masters, and six top 10 placements in the PIF-funded circuit including a win at Nashville, the Englishman is a favorite to win the event in Chicago. He also clinched a top 20 position at the recently ended Betfred British Masters Hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, in hopes of increasing his 2025 Ryder Cup chances. Although LIV Golf does not offer OWGR benefits nor any points for the patriotic contest, the golfer will, nevertheless, hope to top the scoreboard in hopes of increasing his chances at the same.

5. Brooks Koepka: He beat Rahm at Greenbrier. Yes, he duked it out alongside the Spanish golfer and tied with him at the Old White. Then he went ahead to score an even par on the playoff hole to clinch his second LIV Golf victory this season. That triumph also increased his tally of victories on the Saudi-backed league to a whopping 5, the highest ever by a golfer, making him the most successful athlete on the circuit. It would be plain false if someone says he doesn’t have a chance to emerge triumphant at LIV Golf Chicago!

These are but the top athletes who have the most chance of winning the upcoming contest. And they will have to do so at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, the exact layout which boasts immense natural beauty and scenic, albeit challenging holes. Designed by Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest, it also sports elevated tees, and impressive fairways, situated alongside seven water bodies that are scattered throughout the grounds. Couple that with the signature holes (par-3, 15th) and it will truly pose a challenging test to the golfers, making it the perfect place to crown the 2024 LIV Golf Individual champions!