LIV Golf Chicago Odds, Picks, and Longshot Predictions

LIV Golf Chicago Odds, Picks, and Longshot Predictions

12 teams will faceoff via shotgun start on Friday, as LIV Golf returns for its fifth-ever event, with just three remaining in what has been a busy (and controversial) the first season. As we saw in the first handful of events that have mostly been in the United States, a $20 million purse will be on the line, well above the average seen on the PGA Tour, historically.

This week, it was stated there will be no more signings to LIV Golf this season, as the new series now focuses on event development and marketing as it prepares for season #2. Making headlines this week, the #1 amateur prospect David Puig out of Arizona State will make his professional debut in Chicago, publicly becoming the first amateur to officially choose LIV over the PGA Tour. 

With the field set, let’s take a closer look at the event, course, and a few guys I expect to make a splash this weekend in Chicago.

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Course Preview: Rich Harvest Farms

Located just 50 miles from downtown Chicago, Rich Harvest Farms has played host to NCAA Division 1 championships, Arnold Palmer Cups, and amateur events, but never a PGA Tour event; leaving little in the way of course history to draw on here.

Designed in 1990 with Augusta National as the inspiration, Jerry Rich brought in Greg Martin to re-design it years later to create the course that we’ll see this weekend. Coming in at over 7,700 yards, the par-72 is lined with trees, waters, and bunkers, and will likely prove difficult to navigate even for the world’s best.

Measuring well above the Tour’s average of 7,200 yards, for yet another week, long ball hitters will be rewarded and should cash in handsomely if they can keep the ball in play.

LIV Golf: Chicago Event Preview

With a $20 million individual purse and another $5 million to be spread amongst the leading teams, the money will be front and center once again here in Chicago. For the first week, there are no new signings, as Cam Smith and Marc Leishman were last week’s and slated to return again for their second event.

Because the players are set, LIV hopes teams will start to gain more of an identity, as there has been little movement week over week on rosters. As the PGA Tour officially begins in Northern California, the competition for eyeballs really begins this week. 

LIV Golf: Chicago Favorites

Cameron Smith (+500) (Bet $100 to win $500)

With Dustin Johnson finally finding the winner’s podium last week in Boston, the 2022 British Open winner I believe is now poised to get there. A late blunder in Boston cost him last week, as he dropped to #3 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) and fell just short of the PGA Tour Player of the Year award. 

LIV Golf: Chicago Longshots

Patrick Reed (+1600) (Bet $100 to win $1600)

A long-time villain of the golf world, Reed did himself no favors by playing at the BMW DP World Tour event last week. Shooting a Sunday 63, though, Reed got the last laugh finishing fifth and getting a bucket of points in the process.