Spanish Star Aims for Third LIV Victory
The LIV Golf circus moves to Adelaide this week, with Jon Rahm emerging as the clear favorite at +650 following his impressive runner-up finish in Riyadh. The Spaniard's masterful iron play, hitting 47 of 54 greens last week, signals strong momentum heading into the Australian leg.
Course Setup and Historical Context
The Grange Golf Club presents a unique challenge, blending its East and West courses into a 7,039-yard par-72 layout. The venue's signature hole, the Par-3 12th dubbed the 'Watering Hole,' promises to deliver electric atmosphere reminiscent of TPC Scottsdale's famous 16th.
'The atmosphere at the Watering Hole last year was unlike anything I've experienced in Australia,' recalls defending champion Brendan Steele, who claimed victory at -18.
Value Picks and Dark Horses
Dean Burmester emerges as an intriguing contender at +2600. The South African's recent form speaks volumes - a T4 finish in Riyadh coupled with consecutive top-10 finishes at Adelaide make him a compelling choice. His power game, ranking fourth in driving distance last week, suits the Australian layout perfectly.
Asian Market Spotlight
Anirban Lahiri stands out in the Asian player market at -130. The experienced pro's course history - second place in 2023 and T14 last year - combined with a solid T12 in Riyadh, puts him ahead of competitors Yubin Jang and Max Lee.
Tournament Dynamics
The field's depth is evident with Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau sharing second-favorite status after matching T6 finishes in Riyadh. Last week's surprise winner, Adrian Meronk, proved that longshots can prevail, having started at +10000.
Scoring Expectations
Past results suggest another scoring fest - Talor Gooch's -19 victory in 2023 and Steele's -18 win last year set the benchmark. The firm, fast greens remain the course's primary defense against the world's elite.
Editor: Vitalina Patskan
