LIV GOLF ORLANDO POWER RANKINGS: 5 PLAYERS, 4 TEAMS

Mar 28, 2023 - 8:25 PMWritten by: Mike McAllister

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Since the inception of LIV Golf last season, nine regular-season events have been played – and nine different names have won. So will there be another fresh name atop the leaderboard on Sunday?

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Since the inception of LIV Golf last season, nine regular-season events have been played – seven in last year’s inaugural Invitational Series, and the first two of this season’s official LIV Golf League. Nine different names have won. If you add in the six non-winners who competed in the three playoffs, including the three who lost to Danny Lee two weeks ago in Tucson, that’s 14 different players. No repeats.

Competition at LIV Golf events has thus far proven to offer a variety of contenders. It’s not the same names at the top of the leaderboard each time out. Why is it happening? Perhaps the unfamiliarity of some of the courses hosting LIV Golf events levels the playing field, with guys having to quickly learn how to manage their way around a layout instead of leaning on past visits and old yardage books.

Orange County National’s Crooked Cat, the site for this week’s LIV Golf Orlando, will be a new course for most players. The par-71, 7,297-yard layout is expected to have a different feel than the first two courses this season. El Camaleon (Mayakoba) and The Gallery (Tucson) offered stiff penalties for wayward drives, but Crooked Cat likely will be more forgiving off the tee.

So will there be another fresh name atop the leaderboard on Sunday? If the Power Rankings hold up this week, the answer is yes.

FULL SEASON POWER RANKINGS: Teams | Individual

Peter Uihlein of 4Aces GC hits his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of the LIV Golf Tucson at the Gallery Golf Club on Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Stobe/LIV Golf)

5 PLAYERS

1. PETER UIHLEIN (4Aces GC). He’s done everything but win a LIV Golf event, with three seconds in the last five regular-season starts. He leads the league in fewest putts and driving distance in 2023. That should translate well to Crooked Cat.

2. MATTHEW WOLFF (Smash GC). We know he’s a big hitter, even if his driving distance average this season doesn’t reflect it. He’s dialed it down to be more accurate off the tee and he’s putting well. If he cranks up the yardage, watch out.

3. CAMERON SMITH (Ripper GC). Arguably the most talented putter in golf, the reigning Open champion has yet to get untracked this year. He struggled to hit fairways in the first two tournaments but should find safer passage off the tee this week.

4. CARLOS ORTIZ (Fireballs GC). His last three worldwide starts: T7 in Mayakoba, win on the GGPM Tour in his native Mexico, and a playoff loss in Tucson. He’s tied for second in fewest putts in the first two LIV Golf events.

5. CHARLES HOWELL III (Crushers GC). Just can’t ignore his form to start 2023. He was headed for a second consecutive win until a triple bogey on his eighth hole in the final round in Tucson. Look forward to seeing how he bounces back.

OTHERS CONSIDERED: 4Aces GC Captain Dustin Johnson has been hampered by a cold putter, but he’s due to contend soon … The newest HyFlyer, Brendan Steele , has top-5 finishes in his first two LIV Golf starts, including the playoff loss in Tucson … Stinger GC’s Branden Grace has six consecutive rounds under par and remains one of the league’s most consistent threats.

Captain Dustin Johnson of 4Aces GC chips to the 16th hole during the final round of the LIV Golf Tucson at the Gallery Golf Club on Sunday, Mar. 19, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf)

4 TEAMS ****

1. 4ACES GC. Last year’s Team Championship winners are at the top of the standings after consecutive runner-up finishes. And yet there’s room for improvement, as DJ and Patrick Reed have yet to find their best form.

2. RIPPER GC. With three players inside the top 11 in putting average this season, the all-Australian team hope to start peaking for the upcoming LIV Golf Adelaide. Marc Leishman has been solid but will need to shake off the final round in Tucson.

3. SMASH GC. Plenty of firepower off the tee with Wolff, Jason Kokrak and captain Brooks Koepka. Brooks and his brother Chase are native Floridians and will have plenty of support.

4. HYFLYERS GC. Steele has contended in both events, and Cameron Tringale is tied for second in putting average. Captain Phil Mickelson’s lineup will be on the podium soon.

OTHERS CONSIDERED: Tucson winners Fireballs GC are always a threat, and captain Sergio Garcia is getting closer to individual glory … Majesticks GC , last in the team standings, may have a bit of local knowledge with their players who reside in and around Orlando.