Lots of intrigue and curiosity at the LIV Golf stop in Houston

HOUSTON (KIAH) – The midpoint of the 2024 LIV Golf Tour is in Houston, right in the hot, tricky time of year. But despite the heat and humidity, this weekend’s tournament at the Golf Club of Houston arouses intrigue and curiosity.

The main intrigue is whether Bryson DeChambeau, who put on a spectacular show at the PGA Championship last month, can continue his strong performance in his first tournament since playing in the major. There’s also intrigue about whether Houston fans will be interested in LIV Golf’s new rules and team play, which has yet to catch on as strongly as elsewhere.

“I can’t wait to see the fans and see what they’re going to do watching a lot of good play and a lot of great players, give them a show,” DeChambeau said. “I know this place has hosted great championships, and LIV will only reinforce that.”

DeChambeau’s team, Crushers GC, is LIV’s midseason team leader, leading with 105.5 points over Legion XIII, the Jon Rahm-led team, which has 94 points.

It’s also curious whether hometown hero Patrick Reed can catch fire and return to the kind of game that helped him win the Masters in 2018. But Reed, whose 30^th in the LIV individual ranking and still looking for his first LIV Golf individual title, does not feel any pressure and hopes that the local public can give him a boost for a good performance.

“I wouldn’t say as much pressure as more energy,” he said. “I feel a little more energized to get going and put on a show for my family, my friends and everyone here.”

There are 12 LIV golfers competing in the US Open next week, including DeChambeau, Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer and Phil Mickelson, who is still searching for that elusive career grand slam. Everyone will be hoping for a good performance this weekend to help them secure LIV Golf’s first victory in a major tournament next week.

But for now, LIV Golf must first win over Houston fans.

“I think the first thing I would say is try to keep an open mind,” DeChambeau said. “Just for one day, one day, come here one day with an open mind, I think you will be a fan for life.”

QUICK NOTES

• Charles Howell III will miss the Houston tournament due to a shin injury in his left leg. But Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau said he expects Howell to return for the Nashville tournament in two weeks. “He told me it was a little something in his leg, and he said he just can’t do it this week, but he’s trying to be ready for Nashville, which is great.” , DeChambeau said.
• Texas becomes the 11th different state to host an LIV golf tournament and will also host the season-ending team championship at LIV Golf Dallas September 20-22.
• Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, captain of Smash GC, makes his first LIV Golf start since winning the previous event in Singapore when he became the first player to win four LIV Golf individual titles.
• While the rest of the United States can watch Friday’s first round of the LIV Golf Houston tournament only on the CW app, Houston residents can watch the first round of the tournament on CW39 starting at noon central time. Saturday and Sunday’s rounds will take place on both The CW Network (CW39 in Houston) and the CW app at noon central time.