The LIV Golf League is set to tee off in Oklahoma, marking the latest stop in the tour’s global tour after hugely successful events in Australia and Singapore.
Former Oklahoma State University standout Talor Gooch has been on a tear, winning the last two tournaments and making history as the first player to claim back-to-back LIV Golf titles.
Gooch currently sits atop the season-long Individual Champion points standings, with fellow Oklahoma State alums Peter Uihlein and Charles Howell III hot on his heels at second and third place, respectively.
The 48-player field also features two more Oklahoma State players, Matthew Wolff and Eugenio Chacarra, as well as former Oklahoma University star Abraham Ancer.
Gooch’s RangeGoats GC squad, captained by two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson, secured their first team title in Singapore and will look to continue their momentum in Tulsa.
This event will be the last LIV Golf tournament before the highly anticipated PGA Championship, the next major on the 2023 golf calendar.
Gooch and Anirban Lahiri of the Crushers GC recently received invites, bringing the total to 18 LIV Golf League members scheduled to compete, including 2021 winner and HyFlyers GC captain Phil Mickelson.
All eyes will be on Tulsa as the LIV Golf League continues to showcase some of the world’s top golf talent.
The team points standings after LIV Golf Singapore. The regular-season points standings will determine the seeds for the season-ending Team Championship.
Points are awarded to the top 8 teams at each tournament. (32 points for 1st, 24 for 2nd, 16 for 3rd, 12 for 4th, 8 for 5th, 4 for 6th, 2 for 7th, 1 for 8th).
| # | TEAM | MAY | TUC | ORL | ADE | SIN | TUL | DC | VAL | LON | GRE | BED | CHI | MIA | JED | PTS | |
| 1 | 4Aces GC | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 96 | |
| 2 | Torque GC | 3 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 64 | |
| 3 | Fireballs GC | 6 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 62 | |
| 4 | RangeGoats GC | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 59 | |
| 5 | Crushers GC | 1 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 56 | |
| 6 | Stinger GC | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 52 | |
| 7 | Smash GC | 9 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 36 | |
| 8 | Ripper GC | 5 | 5 | 12 | 8 | 6 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 21 | |
| 9 | HyFlyers GC | 7 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 19 | |
| 10 | Iron Heads GC | 10 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 18 | |
| 11 | Cleeks GC | 12 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 12 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 8 | |
| 12 | Majesticks GC | 11 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 11 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4 | |
Talor Gooch will see a couple of familiar faces when he stands on the first tee Friday at LIV Golf Tulsa to begin his quest for a third consecutive win.
One of his playing partners is Sergio Garcia. It will be the third consecutive round that Gooch has been paired with the Fireballs GC captain. That includes the final two rounds at LIV Golf Singapore, which Gooch won by beating Garcia with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
The other member of the threesome is Dustin Johnson, the captain of Gooch’s former team, 4Aces GC. It will be the first time Gooch has been grouped with DJ at a LIV Golf event since leaving the 4Aces in the offseason to join good friend Harold Varner III on the rebranded RangeGoats GC.
Since then, things have been a bit spicy between the two ex-teammates.
After the switch, DJ said he told Gooch that he “should enjoy being on stage” celebrating last year’s Miami Team Championship “because that was the last time he’s going to do that.”
When Gooch won the individual title last month at LIV Golf Adelaide, it was the 4Aces that won the team trophy, beating the RangeGoats by one stroke. That prompted DJ to say, “I’m glad we snipped him … just to give it to him a little bit more.”
When the RangeGoats finally broke through the following week with their first team win at LIV Golf Singapore while Gooch was collecting his second consecutive individual trophy, Gooch said afterward, “Where’s DJ right now?”
Even though the former teammates have had fun with the back-and-forth banter, the RangeGoats are wary of poking the bear too much. The 4Aces were the dominant team in 2022 with five tournament trophies, and they sit atop the team standings through the first five events this year.
“I don’t hate the Aces,” said Varner after winning in Singapore. “I hate that they’re really good and we haven’t beat ’em. And we did today and I’m super proud of the three men standing next to me. It shouldn’t be that animosity, but it just happens in team sports. We beat ’em.”
Added RangeGoats captain Bubba Watson: “And we will beat ’em again. They’re going to come for us next time.”
Replied Varner: “Oh, yeah, they’re going to be pissed.”
We’ll see just how much starting Friday.
At the end of the 2023 Regular Season, the top 24 players in individual points will automatically secure their spots for the 2024 LIV Golf League season. In addition, the top point-getter will be named the Individual Champion, and the top three players will earn individual bonuses.
| # | PLAYER | MAY | TUC | ORL | ADE | SIN | TUL | DC | VAL | LON | GRE | BED | CHI | MIA | JED | PTS | |
| 1 | Talor Gooch | 14 | 14 | 18 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 92 | |
| 2 | Peter Uihlein | 2 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 11 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 73 | |
| 3 | Charles Howell III | 1 | 5 | 26 | 22 | 8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 69 | |
| 4 | Brooks Koepka | 31 | 29 | 1 | 19 | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 66 | |
| 5 | Carlos Ortiz | 9 | 2 | 9 | 37 | 20 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 54 | |
| 6 | Patrick Reed | 38 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 14 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 49 | |
| 7 | Mito Pereira | 16 | 6 | 6 | 27 | 5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 47 | |
| 8 | Sergio Garcia | 26 | 9 | 45 | 14 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 46 | |
| 9 | Cameron Smith | 6 | 26 | 29 | 4 | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 45 | |
| 10 | Sebastián Muñoz | 8 | 40 | 2 | 23 | 33 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 43 | |
| 11 | Danny Lee | 34 | 1 | 35 | 25 | 24 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 41 | |
| 12 | Brendan Steele | 5 | 3 | 37 | 29 | 27 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 40 | |
| 13 | Dean Burmester | 21 | 33 | 3 | 8 | 42 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 37 | |
| 14 | Matthew Wolff | 10 | 12 | 5 | 44 | 41 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 33 | |
| 15 | Cameron Tringale | 22 | 16 | 13 | 5 | 12 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 33 | |
| 16 | Anirban Lahiri | 33 | 31 | – | 2 | 19 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 32 | |
| 17 | Branden Grace | 3 | 11 | 25 | 41 | 43 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 32 | |
| 18 | Pat Perez | 7 | 15 | 31 | 6 | 37 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 31 | |
| 19 | Jason Kokrak | 19 | 38 | 12 | 11 | 6 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 31 | |
| 20 | Dustin Johnson | 37 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 25 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 29 | |
| 21 | Scott Vincent | 15 | 20 | 24 | 40 | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 25 | |
| 22 | Louis Oosthuizen | 42 | 4 | 42 | 18 | 18 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 22 | |
| 23 | Kevin Na | 20 | 8 | 23 | 13 | 21 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 22 | |
| 24 | Paul Casey | 4 | 25 | 34 | 39 | 30 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 18 | |
| 25 | Joaquin Niemann | 11 | 37 | 33 | 30 | 10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 18 | |
| 26 | Harold Varner III | 28 | 27 | 19 | 17 | 9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 16 | |
| 27 | Matt Jones | 23 | 7 | 47 | 42 | 32 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 14 | |
| 28 | Charl Schwartzel | 35 | 46 | 21 | 9 | 34 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 12 | |
| 29 | Sam Horsfield | 45 | 19 | 10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 12 | |
| 30 | Henrik Stenson | 25 | 42 | 11 | 15 | 31 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 12 | |
| 31 | Marc Leishman | 18 | 17 | 28 | 21 | 16 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 9 | |
| 32 | Bubba Watson | 40 | 23 | 40 | 12 | 26 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 8 | |
| 33 | Ian Poulter | 12 | 35 | 44 | 26 | 28 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 7 | |
| 34 | Eugenio Chacarra | 29 | 22 | 36 | 45 | 13 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 7 | |
| 35 | Phil Mickelson | 27 | 32 | 41 | 16 | 15 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 7 | |
| 36 | Graeme McDowell | 13 | 41 | 32 | 38 | 38 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | |
| 37 | Richard Bland | 30 | 24 | 14 | 35 | 36 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | |
| 38 | Bryson DeChambeau | 24 | 44 | 16 | 28 | 22 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | |
| 39 | Abraham Ancer | 17 | 28 | 30 | 20 | 47 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | |
| 40 | Laurie Canter | 46 | 30 | 15 | 48 | 29 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4 | |
| 41 | Thomas Pieters | 32 | 34 | 17 | 33 | 23 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4 | |
| 42 | Jediah Morgan | 43 | 47 | 27 | 43 | 17 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3 | |
| 43 | Lee Westwood | 41 | 43 | 20 | 36 | 39 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 2 | |
| 44 | David Puig | 39 | 21 | 22 | 34 | 35 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 2 | |
| 45 | Chase Koepka | 47 | 39 | 46 | 24 | 46 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | |
| 46 | Bernd Wiesberger | 44 | 36 | 38 | 31 | 40 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | |
| 47 | James Piot | 36 | 45 | 39 | 32 | 48 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | |
| 48 | Andy Ogletree | – | – | 43 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | |
| 49 | Martin Kaymer | – | – | – | 46 | 44 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | |
| 50 | Sihwan Kim | 48 | 48 | 48 | 47 | 45 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 |
ABOUT CEDAR RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
- PAR – 70 – YARDAGE – 7,213
Renowned golf course architect Joe Finger was enlisted by local businessmen in the late 1960s to design Cedar Ridge, a beloved course in Oklahoma that has played host to numerous state and national events.
In 2016, the course underwent a renovation under the guidance of Tripp Davis, which saw the removal of trees and reconstruction of bunkers that resulted in a nearly 33% reduction in sand hazards.
Cedar Ridge has seen its fair share of iconic moments, including Jan Stephenson’s victory at the 1983 U.S. Women’s Open. The course has also played host to state championships and national qualifying tournaments, cementing its place in golf history.
Golf Digest’s latest state rankings have placed Cedar Ridge as the fifth-best course in Oklahoma, a testament to its well-deserved reputation among golfers.
For the upcoming LIV Golf Tulsa tournament, the nines will be reversed, resulting in a par 70 course instead of the usual par 71 for members.
The 12th hole, a dogleg left that measures 369 yards (the No. 3 hole for members), will be the shortest par 4 on the course, but it will likely prevent players from attempting to drive the green.
All in all, Cedar Ridge promises to provide a thrilling challenge for LIV Golf players and fans alike.
LIV GOLF TULSA ROSTER
| TEAM | NAME | NATIONALITY | BIRTHDATE | TURNED PRO | LIV STARTS | BEST PTS FINISH | TEAM WINS |
| Abraham Ancer | Feb. 27, 1991 | 2013 | 11 | 8th | 2 | ||
| Richard Bland | Feb. 3, 1973 | 1996 | 13 | 4th | 0 | ||
| Dean Burmester | Jun. 2, 1989 | 2010 | 5 | 3rd | 0 | ||
| Laurie Canter | Nov. 3, 1989 | 2011 | 13 | 11th | 0 | ||
| Paul Casey | Jul. 21, 1977 | 2000 | 11 | 3rd | 1 | ||
| Eugenio Chacarra | Mar. 22, 2000 | 2022 | 12 | 1st | 2 | ||
| Bryson DeChambeau | Sep. 16, 1993 | 2016 | 12 | 10th | 1 | ||
| Sergio Garcia | Jan. 9, 1980 | 1999 | 13 | 2nd | 2 | ||
| Talor Gooch | Nov. 14, 1991 | 2014 | 13 | 1st | 6 | ||
| Branden Grace | May 20, 1988 | 2007 | 13 | 1st | 1 | ||
| Charles Howell III | Jun. 20, 1979 | 2000 | 11 | 1st | 1 | ||
| Dustin Johnson | Jun. 22, 1984 | 2007 | 13 | 1st | 6 | ||
| Matt Jones | Apr. 19, 1980 | 2001 | 13 | 7th | 0 | ||
| Martin Kaymer | Dec. 28, 1984 | 2005 | 9 | 12th | 0 | ||
| Sihwan Kim | Dec. 4, 1988 | 2011 | 12 | 5th | 0 | ||
| Brooks Koepka | May 3, 1990 | 2012 | 12 | 1st | 1 | ||
| Chase Koepka | Jan. 30, 1994 | 2016 | 13 | 9th | 1 | ||
| Jason Kokrak | May 22, 1985 | 2008 | 11 | 6th | 1 | ||
| Anirban Lahiri | Jun. 29, 1987 | 2007 | 9 | 2nd | 1 | ||
| Danny Lee | Jul. 24, 1990 | 2009 | 5 | 1st | 0 | ||
| Marc Leishman | Oct. 24, 1983 | 2005 | 10 | 13th | 0 | ||
| Graeme McDowell | Jul. 30, 1979 | 2002 | 13 | 12th | 0 | ||
| Phil Mickelson | Jun. 16, 1970 | 1992 | 13 | 8th | 0 | ||
| Jediah Morgan | Nov. 30, 1999 | 2021 | 13 | 13th | 0 | ||
| Sebastián Muñoz | Jan. 4, 1993 | 2015 | 5 | 2nd | 1 | ||
| Kevin Na | Sep. 15, 1983 | 2001 | 13 | 8th | 0 | ||
| Joaquin Niemann | Nov. 7, 1998 | 2018 | 10 | 3rd | 1 | ||
| Louis Oosthuizen | Oct. 19, 1982 | 2002 | 13 | 4th | 1 | ||
| Carlos Ortiz | Apr. 24, 1991 | 2013 | 12 | 2nd | 2 | ||
| Mito Pereira | Mar. 31, 1995 | 2015 | 5 | 5th | 1 | ||
| Pat Perez | Mar. 1, 1976 | 1997 | 12 | 6th | 6 | ||
| Thomas Pieters | Jan. 27, 1992 | 2013 | 5 | 17th | 1 | ||
| James Piot | Oct. 14, 1998 | 2022 | 13 | 6th | 0 | ||
| Ian Poulter | Jan. 10, 1976 | 1995 | 13 | 12th | 0 | ||
| David Puig | Dec. 7, 2001 | 2022 | 8 | 21st | 1 | ||
| Patrick Reed | Aug. 5, 1990 | 2011 | 12 | 2nd | 6 | ||
| Charl Schwartzel | Aug. 31, 1984 | 2002 | 13 | 1st | 1 | ||
| Cameron Smith | Aug. 18, 1993 | 2013 | 10 | 1st | 0 | ||
| Brendan Steele | Apr. 5, 1983 | 2005 | 5 | 3rd | 0 | ||
| Henrik Stenson | Apr. 5, 1976 | 1998 | 10 | 1st | 0 | ||
| Cameron Tringale | Aug. 24, 1987 | 2009 | 10 | 5th | 0 | ||
| Harold Varner III | Aug. 15, 1990 | 2012 | 10 | 7th | 1 | ||
| Peter Uihlein | Aug. 29, 1989 | 2011 | 13 | 2nd | 2 | ||
| Scott Vincent | May 20, 1992 | 2015 | 13 | 4th | 0 | ||
| Bubba Watson | Nov. 5, 1978 | 2002 | 5 | 12th | 1 | ||
| Lee Westwood | Apr. 24, 1973 | 1993 | 13 | 4th | 0 | ||
| Bernd Wiesberger | Oct. 8, 1985 | 2006 | 13 | 8th | 0 | ||
| Matthew Wolff | Apr. 14, 1999 | 2019 | 12 | 2nd | 0 |
