After Mexico, Arizona
Three weeks after Charles Howell III’s victory at Mayakoba, the second leg of LIV will be played on the south course of the Gallery Golf Club in Marana, Arizona. Designed by Tom Lehman, winner of the 1996 US Open, this par 71 of 6,830 meters is ranked 1st in the South of this state by Golf Digest. Inspired by Pinehurst n°2, it hosted the WGC Match Play Championship twice in 2007 and 2008 (victories for Henrik Stenson and Tiger Woods) and has the particularity, on its northern course, of having the longest American par 5, the ninth hole being measured at 725 meters. Speed of greens announced? A very solid 12 on the Stimpmeter.
25 million on the table
Forty-eight players are expected for this tournament played both individually and by teams, with big names present such as Phil Mickelson, Joaquin Niemann, Brooks Koepka or Dustin Johnson. After the 54 holes, the players and teams will share an endowment of 25 million dollars and the individual winner will receive 4 million green tickets. Only 27th individually in Mexico and 7th with his HyFlyers team, Mickelson hopes to find colors: “ After a solid last lap (-11 accumulated during the last round in Mayakoba)the HyFlyers are ready to soar ever higher in Tucson. »
“It’s the worst thing that could happen to golf. Couldn’t be more divisive and less imaginative. Everyone wants to see us hit further. »
Bryson DeChambeau, on the bill limiting the range of balls in the pros and the amateur elite, for the horizon 2026
The 4 Aces in conquered territory
The team of Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Pat Perez and Peter Uihlein, the 4 Aces, will try to continue their dominance in the United States as they have won all five stages of LIV 2022 contested on American soil. In Mayakoba, last year’s overall team winners finished 2nd, behind Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers.
The weather point
Mild and birdie-friendly weather awaits participants as only a few clouds are expected over the weekend. On the other hand, the wind will blow on average at 18 km/h and the temperatures will vary between 6°C and 25°C in Tucson.
Don’t touch the cactus
Even before the start of the tournament, the LIV caused controversy following a video posted on social networks where we can see gardeners cutting up a Saguaros cactus. This species being protected, the defenders of the environment as well as the detractors of the LIV were indignant. The LIV not having applied for a permit risks a $5,000 fine.
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Five LIV players went to college at Arizona State: Phil Mickelson, Paul Casey, Matt Jones, David Puig and Pat Perez
