WITH the big guns resting up for next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational – the PGA Tour’s third $20million ‘elevated’ event – this is the perfect opportunity for the LIV rebel rousers to make some noise.
The second coming of the LIV Golf circus – sorry, circuit – kicks off in Mexico on Friday.
The Liv golf season kicks off this week
And while they have struggled to add any more big name signings, there is still enough firepower to overshadow the Honda Classic north of the border.
Dustin Johnson heads the market for the first of the 14 LIV events. But the fact he pulled out before the start of the Saudi Invitational with a back problem means he has not hit a shot in anger this year.
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The former world No 1 has proved LIV’s shining light so far, as you might expect from a man paid $125million just to sign on the dotted line. But he will surely be a bit under-cooked for this event.
It might pay to stick with players who have had a decent warm-up and are familiar with the conditions in Mayakoba.
And with none of the world’s top 17 players teeing off at the Honda, it may also be worth having a speculative punt on a couple of the players at three figure odds….
LIV tips
Hot shot: Abraham Ancer, 11-1.
Before Mayakoba ‘defected’ to LIV, Mexico’s top golfer competed in the PGA Tour event played at the course five times, and clearly enjoyed playing in front of his home fans.
His record there reads 9-21-8-12-7, against much deeper opposition than he will face in a field limited to 48 players – including a fair amount of dead wood.
Ancer looked rusty when he missed the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic, but showed the benefit of that outing by romping to a wire-to-wire victory at the Saudi Invitational. He beat Cameron Young by three shots. That will do for me.
Mid price: Carlo Ortiz, 33-1.
Yeah, I know, picking a second Mexican golfer on home soil seems a bit too obvious. But there are good reasons for siding with Ortiz as well as Ancer.
Apart from his 2020 Houston Open win, Ortiz’s best performances have come at Mayakoba. He was runner up in the PGA event there in 2019, and again in 2021.
That second near-miss hoisted the Mexican No 2 into the world’s top fifty, and a couple of top five finishes in LIV events last year showed he can still play a bit. He has had TWO competitive outings this year, so rust should not be a problem.
Long shot: Kevin Na, 70-1.
Na did not exactly set the world alight in his first year as a LIV player – just one top ten finish in six attempts – but he is better than that.
He won five times on the PGA Tour, and it is less than 18 months since he tied Jon Rahm for the best 72 hole score at the Tour Championship. And he is still the right side of forty.
If Na has finished counting his money from joining the rebels, and gets the competitive juices flowing again, he could be a force to reckon with this year.
And at the Honda….
Sepp Straka was a shock winner of this Florida pipe-opener a year ago, and it looks ready-made for another turn-up.
Ben Martin looks attractively priced at 150-1 after a decent showing at Pebble Beach last time out.
And at 400-1, Brian Stuard – who edged into the top ten here a year ago – could repay a small each way interest.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to earn money as a professional golfer?
Yes, you can make money as a professional golfer. However, it requires hard work and dedication. There are professionals who make millions of dollar each year.
Do I really need a golf course membership to play golf?
A membership to the golf course is not required. However, having a membership does provide you with access to all the facilities at the course, such as driving ranges, putting greens, and locker rooms.
Can I improve the game of golf by not practicing?
Practice is key to improving your game. You can still improve your game even if you don’t have the time or resources for consistent drills. Keep in mind that you should always strive to practice what you have set out to do. If you want to play faster, you need to focus on playing fast. You should focus on hitting the target farther if you want to hit the shot faster.
What does an average golfer do?
The average golfer can shoot 80-85 yards along with their driver.
Is golfing bad for me?
Golf is good for you. In fact, it’s very healthy. Golfers have a longer life expectancy than non-golfers, according to studies. They also tend to be less stressed out, which means they’re happier people.
Do you find watching professional players makes you better?
Watching pro players play makes you better at video games. By watching how professional players play, you can improve your game. You can also learn from their mistakes. It is also a great way to get inspired by professional gamers and learn how you can improve your game.
Statistics
- According to Shot Scope’s database of more than 30 million shots, 80% of missed greens are missed short. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- The blade aim at impact controls 92% of the ball’s start line, so prioritise face aim as a place to start (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- However, if you go in thinking that you will get all the way down to a 10, you will likely stunt your progress because your expectations are way out of line. (practical-golf.com)
- Shot Scope’s mapping data reveals 72% of danger is at the front of the green (sand or water), whereas there’s only 28% behind. (todaysgolfer.co.uk)
- By adding 10 more yards to all their golf shots amateurs will increase the percentage of greens they hit by 8 – 10%. (golfinsideruk.com)
External Links
collegeofgolf.keiseruniversity.edu
faziodesign.com
nicklaus.com
amzn.to
How To
Five Steps to Lower your Golf Scores
- Start by getting the right equipment. Good clubs and balls are essential. Learning how to play the game of golf is the best way to determine what kind of club to use. If you don’t know anyone who plays golf, ask around at your local driving range. They may give you a lesson free of charge just for seeing new faces.
- Practice makes perfect. It’s obvious that practice is key to improving your game. You don’t have to play with friends or alone; practice is vital. It doesn’t matter if you practice alone or with friends; it is important to keep track. Note everything that you do in order to track your progress.
- Play more. You might feel that you’re spending too much time on golf equipment when you first start. But once you get in a rhythm, you’ll find that you actually enjoy it. Your next step is increasing your play frequency. You should play at least three times per week, or every other day. That means one round of 18 holes during the weekend and two rounds of 9 holes during the week.
- Remember to eat healthy. Many people think they are doing their bodies a favour by eating after lunch and skipping breakfast. This isn’t good for your health. Try to eat something before leaving the house. Ideally, you’d want to eat a small snack containing protein, carbohydrates, and fat. When you arrive at the course you can have a light dinner of lean protein and vegetables.
- Keep hydrated. Hydration can cause muscle pains and headaches, so drink plenty of fluids. Water is vital for optimal performance.
