The LIV Golf 2025 season is in full swing and the third event is fast approaching. Set to take place at the Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling, the Saudi-based tournament is already brimming with anticipation. The initial two games have been a spectacle of thrilling action, and the Hong Kong edition is set to continue the trend.
The tournament will feature 70-par rounds on a 6,711-yard course, with a whopping $20 million purse up for grabs. With the season still in its early stages, every professional in the LIV Golf roster has an equal chance of ascending the individual leaderboard and bolstering their team’s rankings. But the question is – who is expected to outshine the rest at the Hong Kong event? Let’s dive in to find out.
Jon Rahm, also known as Rahmbo, invariably stands as a top contender in any tournament he enters. The LIV Golf Hong Kong event is expected to be no exception to this rule. Ever since his debut in LIV Golf, the Spanish star has been a formidable force, placing second on the leaderboard in 2025 despite not having a win to his name yet. Rahm’s domination is so profound that even Joaquin Nieman, the victor of LIV Golf Adelaide, trails him by a single point. Having consistently finished within the top 10 in all LIV Golf events he’s competed in, Rahm, the 2023 Masters Tournament champion, is considered the prime bet to clinch the title in Hong Kong.
Cameron Smith and his team, Rippers GC, have shown remarkable prowess since the inception of LIV Golf. While they may lack the glamour of players like Bryson DeChambeau or Jon Rahm, they’ve managed to secure two LIV Golf Team Championships in just three years. Smith himself has shown impressive performance, finishing second at the 2025 LIV Golf Hong Kong event with a 13-under par 197. If he can replicate this performance, he stands a strong chance of claiming the title.
Joaquin Niemann is another player who has been turning heads since 2024. After an initial adjustment period, Niemann finished second in the 2024 season, with only three performances out of the top 10. The Chilean star, who clinched the LIV Golf Adelaide 2025 title, finished fourth at the 2024 LIV Hong Kong event. This year, the 26-year-old is eager to add the Hong Kong title to his list of achievements.
Carlos Ortiz, Niemann’s teammate from Torque GC, is also worth watching. In 2024, he clinched a win at LIV Golf Houston and ended up 13th on the individual leaderboard. Ortiz has shown promise in 2025 too, finishing just three strokes behind Niemann at the LIV Golf Adelaide event. If Niemann is near the top of the leaderboard in Hong Kong, it’s likely Ortiz will be close behind.
Bryson DeChambeau may not have won a LIV Golf event since the 2023 Chicago edition, but he’s a player who cannot be dismissed lightly. His track record at the Hong Kong event makes him a favorite, having finished just two strokes off the top and one point ahead of Jon Rahm in 2024. The 2024 U.S. Open champion is undoubtedly keen to get back to his winning ways.
While these players are firm favorites, the defending champions – Abraham Ancer, Tyrrell Hatton, and Sergio Garcia – also pose a formidable challenge. The Hong Kong event will be held from March 7-9, 2025, and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports. Tickets are still available for those looking to witness the action in person. So, who’s your pick for the upcoming LIV Golf event? Share your predictions in the comments section.
