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LIV heads to Spain
Tournament Previews for LIV Valderrama, Rocket Mortgage Classic, British Masters, and more
Jack Middlebrook
June 28, 2023
Top 100 preview
We have a relatively light week on the Men’s and Women’s side in terms of Top 100 players. For the men, 35 of the top 100 are in the field on the PGA Tour, 13 are in the LIV field, and another eight are playing the British Masters. On the women’s side, only 18 are playing during the week between the PGA Championship and US Open.
Purses
LIV Valderrama
Rocket Mortgage Classic
British Masters
Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup
Memorial Health Championship
Shiseido Ladies Open
Mona Yongpyong Open
Ladies Open by Pickala Rock Resort
PGA TOUR Latinoamerica Championship
LIV Valderrama
The LIV season resumes in Europe for the next two weeks as we move to Spain's Andalusian heartland. Specifically, the city of Cadiz, where the prestigious Real Club Valderrama hosts the LIV Valderrama tournament.
The venue in Spain marks a big moment for LIV as Real Club Valderrama has previously hosted a Ryder Cup (1997), World Golf Championships, and European Tour events. The venue this week certainly brings more legitimacy and offers viewers a look at a top European course.
Valderrama looking pure!
— HyFlyers GC (@HyFlyers_GC)
6:09 PM • Jun 26, 2023
A trio of Spanish players, Sergio Garcia, Eugenio Chacarra, and David Puig prepare to tee off on home soil for LIV. While Puig and Chacarra joined LIV after having successful amateur and college golf careers, Sergio has a long history of playing professionally in Spain. He is a three time champion of the Andalucia Masters that was previously held at Valderrama.
The top player in field, Cam Smith, looks to have found some form recently with a streak of 6 events with top 10 finishes. In the last two Majors, he has a 4th at the US Open and T9 at the PGA Championship. Smith now has two LIV events to fine-tune his game before he defends his Open Championship title at Royal Liverpool.
PGA Tour - Rocket Mortgage Classic
Set in the historic Detroit Golf Club, the PGA Tour's Rocket Mortgage Classic offers a good mix of seasoned pros and upcoming talent this week. Although the tournament is not a designated event, the field includes several high-profile players, such as Max Homa, Tony Finau, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa.
Tony Finau is the defending champion, and looks to regain the his form that led him the victory at the Mexico Open in April. While his most recent finishes have been uninspiring, the course this week sets up perfect for Finau who is an elite driver of the golf ball and just needs to let the putter get hot.
Locked in mentality for defending champ @tonyfinaugolf 🔒
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR)
9:02 PM • Jun 27, 2023
Adding a dash of intrigue to the tournament, we also have two leading amateurs, Gordon Sargent and Aldrich Potgieter, who are in the field as sponsor invites. The duo is sure to draw attention, as spectators eagerly watch to see if these potential future stars can make their mark amongst the seasoned pros.
DP World Tour - British Masters
The DP World Tour graces Sutton Coldfield, England, this week for the British Masters at The Belfry - Brabazon Course. Justin Rose headlines the field for an event he won in 2002. Min Woo Lee also demands attention following his Top 10 finishes at the Travelers Championship and US Open. Lastly, don't overlook Thriston Lawrence, who arrives with a recent victory at the BMW International Open.
👋 Good morning from the #BetfredBritishMasters 🇬🇧
— British Masters (@british_masters)
7:38 AM • Jun 28, 2023
Japan LPGA - Shiseido Ladies Open
This week, the Japan LPGA's Shiseido Ladies Open will unfold at the Totsuka Country Club in Yamato, Kanagawa. The field includes a strong roster of top players, with Chisato Iwai and Akie Iwai coming off recent top-tier finishes. Keep an eye on Haruka Kawasaki and Yuri Yoshida, who have shown consistency in their recent performances.
Korea LPGA - Mona Yongpyong Open
The Mona Yongpyong Open, part of the Korea LPGA tour, is set to unfold at the YongPyong Resort - Birch Hill Golf Club in Gujeong, Gangwon-do, South Korea. The field is led by Su Ji Kim, ranking 44th worldwide, whose recent top-ten finish at the Korea Women's Open Golf Championship underscores her strong form. Also to watch are Yunji Jeong and So Young Lee, both notable for their solid performance in recent events, including a runner-up and third-place finish, respectively, at the Lotte Open. The tournament promises to be an exciting watch, with these players vying for the top spot.
Ladies European Tour - Ladies Open by Pickala Rock Resort
Korn Ferry Tour - Memorial Health Championship
Japan Golf Tour - Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup
This week sees the Japan Golf Tour at The North Country Golf Club in Chitose, Hokkaido. Takumi Kanaya and Keita Nakajima, are among the favorites. Nakajima’s recent form has been stellar, finishing third or better in his last five starts.