LIV Golf veterans Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson out to steal the show at Sentosa
The Spaniard and his Fireballs GC team won the double in Hong Kong last week and they are eager to continue their hot streak in Singapore
[SINGAPORE] The LIV Golf league is back in Singapore for a three-day festival on what is arguably among the most challenging and scenic courses in the world.
The sport’s top golfers are already in town as they prepare to conquer Sentosa Golf Course’s picturesque Serapong course from Friday (Mar 14) to Sunday.
Among the field of 54 players, two aces stand out. Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia are the crowd favourites for a variety of reasons, not least of all their superlative performances at last week’s LIV event in Hong Kong.
The six-time Major champion Mickelson – the oldest player in Singapore at 54 – has witnessed a resurgence of his brilliant form in Hong Kong to finish third on 14-under with what he described as a “different style of golf”.
The American who’s nicknamed “Lefty” told reporters in Singapore this week: “My game is getting sharp. My short game is back. My iron play is back, and my game is starting to really come around.”
One-shot triumph
The 45-year-old Garcia won the Hong Kong event by one stroke on 18-under over South Africa’s Dean Burmester. Garcia had an impeccable final-round card of an eagle and five birdies for a bogey-free seven-under 63. This was the Spaniard’s second individual LIV title in his past seven starts which also helped his team, Fireballs GC, to a one-shot triumph in the team event.
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Garcia, who has over 40 professional victories under his belt and hopes to make Europe’s Ryder Cup team this year, is a different and much more mature golfer these days compared to when he was a youth.
In 1999, just months after he turned professional, he did what very few of his peers would do: he often sprinted madly on the fairway after hitting a shot to see where his ball landed. It happened during his first Major in a duel with Tiger Woods late in the final round after he hit his ball which was up against a tree trunk in the rough on the 16th hole. As the shot travelled, the sprint was followed by a scissor-kick jump to locate the final result.
Three years later at the Tiger Skins at Tanah Merah Country Club’s old Garden course, Garcia repeated the act to signal to the onlookers that he was “still a kid”.
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Such trademarks do not live with them forever, of course, because as their game evolves with new modern equipment and longer courses to stifle distances off the tee, they also adapt to new habits.
Tyrrell Hatton, a 33-year-old from England, often talks to the ball, providing almost what seems like a live commentary after hitting each shot.
Carnival atmosphere
The LIV Golf league has a unique format where it allows for some relaxed play over a three-day shotgun start. There is usually a festival-like atmosphere with blaring music with spectators also able to take part in games, putting competitions and other fun activities.
This season, Garcia leads the individual standings with 54 points, followed by Jon Rahm (53.50) and Burmester (51.66). “I really love this format and the team aspect of it,” said Garcia who was full of praise for the Serapong course.
Serapong’s tricky stretch from holes 3 to 7 – known as the Dragon’s Tail – is notoriously tough and the 495-yard third is the longest par-four on the course.
The field stroke average for LIV Golf Singapore last year was 69.59, up from the previous year’s 68.65. Talor Gooch of the US won the event when it was held in Singapore for the first time in 2023; American Brooks Koepka was the winner in 2024.
In the team standings, Fireballs GC have a clear lead this season with 72 points, 10 ahead of second-placed Legion XIII and third-placed Ripper GC (34 points).
After Friday’s first round, Dustin Johnson leads on 8-under, three ahead of Sebastian Muñoz. Former Singapore Open winner Garcia is on plus-1 and Mickelson on 2-under.
Before the tournament began, Garcia, who is also a UBS Golf ambassador, took part in the UBS Golf Challenge at Tanah Merah Country Club. Several of the club’s young golfers aged 11 to 16 had the opportunity to learn directly from the Spaniard at a clinic on chipping techniques, after which they enjoyed a game together.
Guests also took part in a charity challenge where their swings helped to raise funds for the UBS Optimus Foundation’s partners in Singapore. The distance of each golfer’s drive was recorded and UBS donated S$60 for every 60 metres achieved. Golfers could also donate in their own capacity with each dollar matched by an additional 20 per cent from the foundation. To date, close to S$45,000 has been raised.
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