Who are the new additions to the field for the LIV Golf Invitational in Bedminster?
With an already star studded lineup set to play in New Jersey, LIV Golf added three more golfers to complete the field for their third tournament of the year.
Though the new golf tour continues to court controversy, but that has done nothing to stop the number of golfers who are joining it from increasing.
Three more join the LIV Golf Series
According to reports, Henrik Stenson, Jason Kokrak and Charles Howell III are the latest professional golfers to join the LIV Golf series. With the addition of the trio, the 48-man field for its next tournament - the third so far - is now set. Running from July 29th - 31st, the LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster will be held at former US President, Donald Trump’s private country club, The Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey.
Interestingly, Sweden’s Stenson was removed as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain on Wednesday morning, with LIV Golf later confirming that he would be joining their series along with the pair of Americans, Kokrak and Howell III. The three players now join Fellow major winners Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau in the ranks of the increasingly divisive Saudi Arabia-funded tour. It’s worth noting, that Stenson was stripped of his captaincy as a direct result of his agreement to join the LIV Series, which it must be said has conflicted with the DP World Tour, once known as the European Tour.
Cameron Smith’s and others are linked with LIV
It was just this past weekend, when yet again LIV’s name was center stage and in the most unexpected manner. Speaking after his win at The Open on Sunday, Australian, Cameron Smith didn’t exactly shut down the possibility of joining LIV Golf. Asked by a journalist whether or not he would be jumping ship, Smith responded by saying, “I just won the British Open, and you’re asking about that? ...I think that’s pretty,
not that good.” Again, Smith was pressed to either confirm or deny at which point he gave a less than clear answer. “I don’t know, mate,” he said. “My team around me worries about all that stuff. I’m here to win golf tournaments.” Speculation was only further fueled by LIV’s CEO, Greg Norman who tweeted a congratulatory message to Smith shortly after his victory. Interestingly, it’s not just Smith alone. There are others who have been heavily linked with the fledgling tour in recent days, such as former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama. Then there is the case of fellow Australian Marc Leishman and two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. LIV is said to be preparing bids to for both golfers in an effort to bring them on board.
What to expect from LIV’s Bedminster tournament?
Alongside the three aforementioned new boys, Paul Casey, a 21-time winner as a pro and five-time European Ryder Cup team member, will also be making his LIV debut. The Englishman will be stepping into a stacked field that boasts 10 major champions with a combined 20 majors won between them. Americans Mickelson and Johnson, Spaniard Garcia, South African Louis Oosthuizen and fellow Englishmen Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood will all be appearing in their third consecutive LIV tournament.
As for the winners of LIV’s first two tournaments, South Africans Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace who were victorious in London - the inaugural event - and Portland respectively, will be present in New Jersey. CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf, Greg Norman was clearly excited about what lies ahead. “It’s been a historic two months for LIV Golf as we’ve established a new era for the sport that delivers unique energy, camaraderie, and competition. In just six rounds of live action, we have created a golf environment that has captured the world’s attention and attracted young, passionate fans around the globe. ...We are excited to take another giant leap forward at the beautiful Trump National Golf Club Bedminster where our players are eager to tee off in pursuit of the third individual and team titles of the season.”