LIV Golf Individual Championship - How Things Stand With One Round To Play In Chicago
Several players are facing relegation with one round to save themselves in Chicago, while two are still well in the reckoning for the Individual Championship title
The Individual Championship of the third LIV Golf season is just one round away from being decided at the circuit's final regular event at Bolingbrook Golf Club in Chicago.
There are issues at the top and bottom of the Individual Standings to be resolved, with the LIV Golf futures of several players under severe threat.
At the start of the event, nine players were in the Drop Zone – Scott Vincent, Branden Grace, Bubba Watson, Kalle Samooja, Kieran Vincent, Wild Card players Hudson Swafford and Anthony Kim and reserves Laurie Canter and Ben Campbell.
Two of those, Swafford and Kim, are not facing relegation due to their status as players not assigned to teams, while Canter and Campbell can't be relegated either.
It was initially thought that, as a captain of one of the teams, Range Goats GC’s Watson would also be safe from the drop. However, before the event it was confirmed that captains were no longer exempt from relegation.
Golf Monthly understands relegated players can be re-signed if there is a business case for keeping the player, but that’s hardly an assurance he would be safe, meaning the two-time Masters champion had plenty to do in Chicago to ensure he didn’t need to rely on the LIV Golf Promotions event for a final chance to continue his career in the League.
Various permutations could also mean that seven players who began the tournament in the Open Zone, Henrik Stenson, Mito Pereira, Phil Mickelson, Jinichiro Kozuma, Ian Poulter, Harold Varner III and Pat Perez, may also be dragged into the Drop Zone.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
As for the five facing relegation who started in the Drop Zone, it’s looking particularly forlorn for Watson with one round to play. He sits 52nd on the leaderboard on nine-over needing a minimum of 3.10 points to reach the Open Zone. To get them, he’ll need to finish 15th or higher, and he’s currently 11 shots behind that threshold.
Two of the players, Kieran Vincent and Grace, are four-over in T38 after the second round. Vincent needs at least 5.29 points to make it out of the Drop Zone, equating to 13th or higher. He sat six shots beneath that target heading into Sunday. As for Grace, things are a little brighter, but not by much. He needs to finish 15th or higher to have any hope of avoiding relegation.
Kieran’s brother Scott begins the third round in T27 at two-over. Anywhere 20th or above will give him a chance, and he starts the day just two shots adrift of his minimum target.
That leaves Samooja, who is trying to extend his LIV Golf career only a year after earning promotion. The Finn has given himself a great chance, too. He’s T7 at three-under. If he maintains that, he’ll earn 13 points – more than enough to save himself. As it is, even 14th might be enough, depending on how Perez, who is currently 49th on seven-over, finishes.
With Samooja currently the only one of the five set to finish outside the Drop Zone, that means, without a dramatic turnaround, Perez will be the one to take his place. To have a chance of avoiding that, he'd need to finish in the top 24.
At the top, it’s much more clear-cut. Jon Rahm will win the title if he finishes ahead or equal to Joaquin Niemann among the top 15 places on the Chicago leaderboard.
If Niemann finishes 16th or 17th, Rahm has to finish in the top 24. If Niemann finishes 18th or worse, Rahm wins the title and the $18m bonus.
For Niemann to guarantee the title, he must finish in the top three ahead of Rahm. If Niemann finishes fourth or lower, his fate will be determined by Rahm’s place on the leaderboard.
It's currently Rahm who is poised to take the title. He’s top at seven-under, but Niemann is only three shots behind in fourth, meaning it’s all to play for as we approach the final 18 holes of the Individual Championship season.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
What’s The Best College Golf Team Of All Time?
There have been some standout college teams through the years, but which was the best?
By Mike Hall Published
-
What Are Xander Schauffele's Stock Yardages?
The American enjoyed a phenomenal 2024, picking up two Major scalps in the process. Here, we take a look at how far he hits every club in the bag
By Matt Cradock Published
-
LIV Golf’s Bubba Watson Returning To The Mic In Star-Studded Match
A host of iconic faces from the world of sport and entertainment will come together for the latest edition of 'The Match' on primetime TV later this month
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Adrian Meronk Details Why He Chose LIV Golf Over PGA Tour
The Polish player has given an interview to Gulf News, where he explains why he opted against a career on the PGA Tour in favor of a move to LIV Golf
By Mike Hall Published
-
Cameron Smith Joins Jon Rahm In Calling For New LIV Golf Event
The 2022 Open Champion has called for a links golf event to be added to the LIV Golf schedule to help with preparation for The Open
By Elliott Heath Published
-
The 4 LIV Golfers Currently Qualified For The DP World Tour Championship
Jon Rahm is one of four LIV Golf players in with a chance of qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship
By Paul Higham Published
-
Report: LIV Golf Unaffected As PIF Plans To Reduce International Investments
The governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund has announced it is reducing its international investments, although it reportedly won’t affect LIV Golf
By Mike Hall Published
-
What Happens If A LIV Golfer Wins The International Series Rankings?
There is only one place available in the 2025 LIV Golf League via the Asian Tour's International Series Rankings, and a handful of players already employed by the 54-hole circuit are in contention for top spot...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Bryson DeChambeau Expected To Play Asian Tour's India Event: Report
The Crushers GC captain and current US Open champion has been tipped to feature at an International Series tournament in India next season
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Greg Norman Gives Update On LIV Golf Contract
In an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated, the Australian has revealed when his LIV Golf contract expires, and addressed speculation he could be replaced
By Mike Hall Published