LIV Golf Chicago predictions - Top contenders for the crown in Chicago

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

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Brad Newcomb 2 hours ago

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LIV Golf Chicago takes place between 8-10 August
The tournament takes place at the Boiling Brook GC, Illinois, Chicago
Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, David Puig, and Tom McKibbin are top contenders.

Jon Rahm is the defending champion (Getty Images)

The LIV Golf League returns to the United States, where a world-class field will compete for the title in Chicago at the Boiling Brook Golf Club for the first time. Which golfer will take home the winner's cheque come Sunday?

Jon Rahm is back to defend his title after a three-stroke victory over Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann in 2024.

Current top-ten in the individual points standings after 11 rounds:

1. Joaquin Niemann 206.80 pts

2. Jon Rahm 169.16 pts

3. Bryson DeChambeau 136.24 pts

4. Talor Gooch 101.20 pts

5. Patrick Reed 100.28 pts

6. Sergio Garcia 85.20 pts

7. Sebastian Munoz 84.73 pts

8. Dean Burmester 77.25 pts

9. Lucas Herbert 71.90 pts

10. Marc Leishman 70.00 pts

These are our four selections that could win the title this weekend.

Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm has been in great shape during the Majors and LIV Golf Tour lately, placing T8 at the PGA Championship, T8 in Virginia, T7 at the U.S. Open, T11 in Dallas, 2nd in Andalucia, T34 at the Open Championship, and T5 in the United Kingdom.

Other noteworthy results achieved by Rahm this year include a T2 in Riyadh, a 6th in Adelaide, a T6 in Hong Kong, a T5 in Singapore, a T9 in Miami, a T14 at the Masters, a 4th in Mexico City, and a T7 in South Korea.

The former world number one player won the 2024 LIV Golf League event in Chicago on debut.

Rahm has been ultra-consistent this season and can win back-to-back titles in Illinois this weekend.

Patrick Reed

Patrick Reed has been playing well since mid-June, placing T23 at the U.S. Open, victory in Dallas, MC at the BMW International Open (DP World Tour), T10 in Andalucia, MC at the Open Championship, and T7 in the United Kingdom.

Reed's other promient performanes this season include a T10 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a T8 at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, a T10 in Hong Kong, a 2nd at the Invitational Series in Macau (Asian Tour), a T7 in Miami, a 3rd at the Masters, a T17 in Mexico City, and T4 in South Korea.

The former Masters champion has featured three times at LIV Golf Chicago, placing T12 in 2022, T18 in 2023, and T30 in 2024.

Reed has the form to win his second LIV Golf League title of the season this weekend.

David Puig

David Puig has been in decent nick in his last four starts on the LIV Golf Tour and DP World Tour, placing T13 in Dallas, T11 at the BMW International Open, T19 in Andalucia, and T18 in the United Kingdom.

Additional highlights from Puig's season include a 3rd at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, a T4 at the Bahrain Championship, a T6 in Riyadh, a 4th in Adelaide, a T18 in Hong Kong, a 4th in Singapore, a T14 in Miami, and a T13 in Hong Kong.

The Spaniard has made three appearances at LIV Golf Chicago, finishing T37 in 2022, T32 in 2023, and T20 in 2024.

Puig has been thereabouts lately and can feature prominently at the Boiling Brook Golf Club this weekend.

Tom McKibbin

Tom McKibbin has regained his touch from earlier in his season on the LIV Golf Tour, placing T5 in Dallas, T4 in Andalucia, MC at the Open Championship, and T11 in the United Kingdom.

Other notable performances achieved by McKibbin this year include a T6 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (DP World Tour), a T15 in Riyadh, a T7 in Adelaide, a T6 in Hong Kong, a T3 at the Singapore Classic (DP World Tour), and a T14 in Miami.

The Northern Irishman is debuting at LIV Golf Chicago this weekend.

McKibbin appears to have turned the corner and can make his presence felt in Illinois this weekend.

Format

An invitational field of 54 golfers will feature at the tournament, with a total purse of $25 million up for grabs. $4 million will go to the winner, while the player coming in last will pocket $50,000.

The players will contest 54 holes instead of 72 for all the LIV Golf Invitational Series events.

A shotgun start will occur, where the players will tee off simultaneously from different holes.

A 13-four-man team (four players each and two wild-card players) format will run concurrently, with the top three teams earning prize money.

Verdict

Rahm can win his first tournament of the year in Chicago this weekend, as he has been in great touch throughout the season.

Reed has the game to win another LIV Golf title this weekend.

Puig has been in solid form lately and offers excellent value in Illinois.

McKibbin has been performing well lately and should enter calculations at Boiling Brook this weekend.

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