2024 LIV Golf Jeddah: Power Rankings, Defending Champion, Prize Money, and Major Details

LIV Golf is back with its third event on the 2024 calendar. With the first two tournaments dishing out scintillating performances one after another, the fans can undoubtedly look forward to the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club from March 1st–3rd. Interestingly, this would be the third time that the course in Jeddah would be hosting the event on the breakaway league.

A total of 54 athletes would be aiming to clinch the trophy and a cut from the $20 million prize purse from Jeddah. However, only one can actually do so. Who among the list of athletes has the most chance of emerging victorious this weekend?

Top contenders for the 2024 LIV Golf Jeddah

The athletes would look to battle it out against each other individually and as a team on the course. The field would consist of a total of 54 golfers, divided into 13 teams, with two of them not being part of any squads. Nevertheless, there would surely be some favorites among the fans to win the event.

1. Brooks Koepka: The 33-year-old is the current defending champion at LIV Golf Jeddah. What’s more, including the 2023 event, the golfer won the previous two tournaments, which were hosted in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Now, in 2024, he finished at T5 in Mayakoba with an 8-under 205 while placing at T12 for the Las Vegas tournament with a 204 (-6). Nevertheless, the five-time major champ is undoubtedly one of the fan favorites to win the upcoming competition.

2. Joaquin Niemann: Although the Chilean pro finished in 30th place, tied with three others in Las Vegas, he is, at the moment, a force to be reckoned with on the greens. What’s more, the 25-year-old managed to emerge victorious at Mayakoba while finishing T3 at the recently ended International Series Oman and a T4 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, both of which came in 2024 after his last win at the ISPS Handa Australian Open in 2023. Besides, his talent has even earned him a place on the upcoming Masters Tournament field. Undoubtedly, he’s one to watch out for.

3. Jon Rahm: Not much needs to be said about the Spanish golfer, who is the current No. 3 on the OWGR. Over the past two tournaments in the breakaway league, he has finished inside the top 10 both times, with a T3 at the Mayakoba event with a 10-under 203 and a T8 finish at Las Vegas owing to his 8-under 202. Moreover, his spectacular finish in the first match helped his squad, Legion XIII GC, emerge victorious at the team event. Well, with him in tow, the group can hope to witness yet another triumph at LIV Golf Jeddah.

4. Anthony Kim: Back after almost 12 years, the 38-year-old would be looking to make his comeback one that is filled with glory. Although he is not a part of any team at Jeddah, the golfer, throughout his time on the course in the past, has proved himself more than capable of dishing out amazing performances, as can be seen from his three victories on the Jay Monahan-led PGA Tour. Regardless, many would be expecting a wonderful return from the American Pro.

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5. Dustin Johnson: Remarkably the most successful captain in the whole LIV Golf League, DJ would be hoping to clinch his fourth win on the Saudi-backed circuit, the last of which came in Las Vegas, with a 12-under 198. Besides, his performance helped his squad finish runner-ups for the team event, closely missing out on what could have been their 8th victory. Well, with the performance he had dished out in the previous event, underestimating him can lead to consequences of epic proportions.

The ultimate test for golfers at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club

The course was designed by European Golf Design and is dubbed one of the best of its kind in the Middle East. Beautiful fairways and greens dot the layout, and the local flora and lake features further enhance them. Interestingly, the par-72, 7000-yard plus course was officially opened in September 2017.

Moreover, the grounds consist of a driving range, a swing studio, and putting greens, which are tailored to help the athletes improve their gameplay skills. The course, which is located in King Abdullah Economic City, has hosted many tournaments on the European Tour, the Asian Tour, and two of its events on the PIF-funded circuit. Anyhow, one can expect fierce competition in Saudi Arabia this time around as the field strives to clinch the trophy that has never left Koepka’s hands.

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