Robert TheodorsonWhat a wild couple of weeks it has been for LIV.
Information on anything inside the league continues to be shrouded in secrecy, as has been the league’s SOP since inception, so everything regarding the future of players, teams, and tournaments is pure speculation. For now, we do know that LIV Virginia will take place as scheduled (May 7 – 10), and so we once again gladly provide you our predictions for the Top 5 individual golfers and our pick for the team champion.
In 2023, Harold Varner III claimed his single LIV victory at Trump National, finishing one stroke better than Branden Grace in what proved to be a tournament decided in a dramatic finish –in part because of a tremendous hole-out bunker shot by Varner that sealed the deal.
With only one tournament before the next major, the PGA Championship at Aronimink, LIV’s best will look to fine-tune their skills and get into championship form.
For a select few, Virginia will serve as a fine proving ground for the field to ready themselves for one of the biggest prizes of the season.
We take a look at who in the field has the best chance to win Virginia, earn OWGR points, move up in the standings, and determine who is ready for The PGA Championship at Aronimink.
Top 5 Projected Performers
(1) Jon Rahm
After a short-lived rivalry with Bryson DeChambeau over supremacy of the league, Jon Rahm has reestablished himself as LIV’s preeminent golfer.
Number one in the season-long individual standings by over an incredible 300 points, Rahm won Mexico City in convincing fashion for his second individual win of the season. Building momentum and scoring early on Thursday/Friday will need to be a key focus of Rahm if he has a chance at capturing his first major championship since 2023.
The fact that Rahm has not played Trump National before will likely be a non-factor for the Spaniard as he’s come in blind to several tournaments prior and has ended up on the top of the podium more than once.
(2) Thomas Detry
One of the most consistent men on tour, Detry is in the midst of a phenomenal first season on LIV with finishes of: 7, 31, 2, T15, T3, and T5.
Detry is certainly close to winning and did so on the PGA Tour last season, so besting Rahm and claiming victory is not so far-fetched.
(3) Bryson DeChambeau
Down but not out, DeChambeau must put April in his rear-view mirror and look to the future.
The world will be watching LIV Virginia to see what version of Bryson we are going to get at Aronimink. Before the recent withdrawal and missing the cut at The Masters, DeChambeau was well on his way to overpowering Rahm and making a strong claim for the individual championship.
We reckon that DeChambeau will be highly motivated not only by recent failures but to prove his worth to the world as he negotiates his future beyond the 2026 season.
(4) Branden Grace
The 2023 LIV DC runner-up, Grace is on a tear and has recorded consecutive Top 5 finishes at LIV South Africa and Mexico.
Despite not winning since 2022 and having been technically relegated out of the league two seasons ago, Grace has been one of LIV’s more steady and reliable golfers, often flirting with wins and helping his South African team to two straight podium finishes.
(5) Harold Varner III
HV3’s first and only LIV Golf win came at Trump National three seasons ago when the East Carolina product beat Brandon Grace by a single stroke. Varner’s victory was made in part by one of the best hole-out bunker shots we’ve seen in LIV history.
HV3’s 8-under par performance on the opening round Friday was the best among the entire field throughout the weekend with no other golfer being able to muster better than 6-under.
Suffice it to say, HV3 knows the course well and will be bolstered by his recent T12 finish in Mexico City in which he spent a decent amount of time on the leaderboard.
Top Projected Team
Legion XIII
The recent pattern of team champions this season suggests that Legion XIII will take their second consecutive victory in Virginia.
Earlier this season, Ripper and The 4 Aces both achieved back-to-back victories before DeChambeau’s Crushers won their lone tournament of the season in South Africa. Unlike the Crushers, Legion XIII has been in the mix for the majority of the season, earning three podium finishes before Mexico City: Adelaide (2nd), Hong Kong (3rd), and Singapore (3rd).
With the emergence of Braden Grace I like Southern Guards, who have podiumed twice in the last two tournaments, to give Legion XIII a run for their money. Ultimately, with Rahm as our projected winner, Hatton in good form, and the young duo of McKibbin & Surratt performing admirably, Virginia seems to belong to Legion XIII.
Around the League: What You Need to Know Before Virginia
- Last week the PIF announced that it would not fund LIV Golf after the conclusion of the 2026 season. Everything beyond that is pure speculation, however both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour have reportedly begun discussions on the future of LIV players and what becomes of them at the end of the season.
- As of this moment, all current members of the league are expected to join the field and take full part in tournament activities. There are rumors that certain star golfers have already reached out to The PGA Tour to have early discussions on rejoining the league, but anything material is expected to occur after the team championship in Michigan unless another major paradigm shift occurs before then.
- This is the second time LIV has hosted an event at Trump National in Northern Virginia. The first iteration was named ‘LIV DC’ before being moved to RTJ Golf Club in Gainesville and was rebranded ‘LIV Virginia’.
- Bryson DeChambeau suffered his first WD of the season after dealing with some discomfort in Mexico City. The Crushers’ captain failed to make the cut at The 91st Masters and followed up with the WD in Mexico. Before majors season, DeChambeau had been neck-and-neck with Jon Rahm in the points standings as LIV’s two premier golfers.
- Legion XIII, the 2025 Team Champions, captured their first team win of the season at Mexico City. It was the third straight time the champs have won an event in Mexico.
- Smash GC, formerly captained by Brooks Kopeka (now with The PGA Tour), has been rebranded as Oklahoma Golf Club (OKGC) by now-captain Talor Gooch. Along with Southern Guards and Korean, OKGC is the third LIV club to rebrand in 2026. The changes have been deemed confusing and unnecessary by many.
- HyFlyers captain Phil Mickelson, the subject of much debate regarding his future with professional golf, will skip LIV Virginia. The six-time major winner has played one tournament all season (LIV South Africa) including The Masters.
