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LIV Golf UK 2025 preview: Ryder Cup spots, English struggles and possible aces
Just five days on from an enthralling Open Championship at Royal Portrush the eyes of the golf world remain firmly locked on the United Kingdom for the next three days - Friday, July 25 - Sunday, July 27 - as LIV Golf returns for its lone 2025 stop in England.
While Scottie Scheffler made Sunday's final round in Northern Ireland look more like a gentle procession, winning by five shots, one of the main stories emerging from the major was the performance of the LIV Golf entrants, in particular the stunning final three rounds from Bryson DeChambeau.
How those players now take that form into three days at the JCB Golf and Country Club is going to add much intrigue, as the tour enters its final month of the season.
Determined DeChambeau on Ryder Cup cusp
Bryson DeChambeau will be wondering 'what if?' after finishing 9-under and tied 10th at The Open.
The American was tied 144 after a disastrous first round at Royal Portrush, carding a 78, to leave him 7-over par.
For most that would doom them to missing the cut, but DeChambeau showed incredible determination, and no shortage of skill, to not just make the weekend's final two rounds, but finish under par in each of his final three rounds.
His Sunday 64 was breathtaking, meaning he finished 16-under over his final three 18-holes. Had he made par on the opening day he would been celebrating his third major and first Claret Jug.
However it did give the 31-year-old just his second top-10 finish at The Open, and a top-10 finish at a major championship for the seventh time in his past 11 starts.
That form, and more importantly the fighting spirit he demonstrated, should be enough to secure him a spot in the US Ryder Cup team.
Even if he slips out of the top six automatic Ryder Cup spots - he is currently fifth - as long as DeChambeau continues to fire in these final four LIV Golf events, where Ryder Cup qualification points are unavailable, Keegan Bradley will surely make him one of his six captains picks.
A Jon Rahm repeat?
Last year's inaugural LIV Golf event at JCB provided thrills throughout the weekend, but the exclamation point was a final round that went right down to the last hole as Rahm claimed victory over Legion XIII teammate Tyrrel Hatton by a single stroke.
That was Rahm's first win of 2024, and the Spaniard finds himself in a similar situation this year as he still looks for his maiden victory of 2025.
Another win here for the 30-year-old could boost his pursuit of individual leader Joaquin Niemann, who heads into this weekend with a 12.64-point lead on Rahm.
The omens are good for Rahm. Last time out at LIV Golf Andalucia Talor Gooch, who just held off the surging Rahm to win, became the first player in the league to win the same tournament twice. Can the Spaniard do the same this weekend?
Ace in the hole
While Rahm's victory was the biggest talking point from the 2024 event, the most thrilling moment arguably belonged to reserve player John Catlin, who stepped in for Crushers GC and nailed a hole-in-one.
Catlin showed that an ace at the 17th hole at JCB is possible. Perhaps another one is in store?
The green, green grass of home
It has not been a vintage season for the British contingent on the tour, between them earning just two top three finishes in 2025 to date.
They will all be hoping a rare return to UK shores will inspire them to better this weekend.
One team in particular hoping to see improvement is a Majesticks team containing three Englishman in Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sam Horsfield.
Currently languishing second bottom of the team standings, without an individual or team podium this year, they will be hoping home comforts bring a major turnaround in their fortunes.
Meanwhile Paul Casey, the only Englishman to earn a top three finish this season, has an important role to play in driving his second placed Crushers' challenge in the team standings, chasing down leaders Legion XIII.
Talking of which, the Legions' Tyrell Hatton - also destined for the Ryder Cup - had a strong Open, despite fading in the latter rounds, finishing tied-16 and 7-under, and will want to continue his good form.
Joaquin Niemann looking for lucky No. 5
The Chilean heads up the individual standings on the back of four victories this year — Niemann is the only player with more than one LIV Golf victory in 2025.
It's been a dream year for the 26-year-old, who finished second to Rahm last year but has turned the tables on his rival so far through the current campaign.
Another victory for Niemann would give him a near-stranglehold on the race for first, but he has shown startling inconsistency outside of his victories.
When Niemann has not topped the podium this year, he's finished in the top 12 just once, otherwise ending in the 20s or 30s.
It's been feast or famine for the former top amateur player in the world, and Niemann needs to find a way to get back on the podium or risk being passed by Rahm once again.
LIV Golf 2025 individual standings - Top 10
| Player | Team | Points |
| Joaquin Niemann | Torque GC | 166.80 |
| Jon Rahm | Legion XIII | 154.16 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | Crushers GC | 131.10 |
| Patrick Reed | 4Aces GC | 88.28 |
| Sergio Garcia | Fireballs GC | 85.20 |
| Talor Gooch | Smash GC | 83.20 |
| Sebastian Munoz | Torque GC | 79.59 |
| Lucas Herbert | Ripper GC | 71.90 |
| Abraham Ancer | Fireballs GC | 67.91 |
| David Puig | Fireballs GC | 66.60 |
LIV Golf 2025 team standings - Top 5
| Team | Points |
| Legion XIII | 186.66 |
| Crushers GC | 162.00 |
| Fireballs GC | 145.00 |
| 4Aces GC | 112.66 |
| Ripper GC | 100.16 |
LIV Golf remaining events
- July 25-27 - LIV Golf UK
- August 8-10 - LIV Golf Chicago
- August 15-17 - Liv Gold Indianapolis
- August 22-24 - Liv Golf Team Championship Michigan
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