LIV Golf Andalucía dazzled golf fans in 2023, with many of the best players in the world offering a brilliant show at Royal Valderrama Cub. This year's event (12-14 July) promises to be even more spectacular, thanks to the appearance of another dazzling global star, Jon Rahm, who has joined the ultra-lucrative circuit led by Greg Norman.
The extraordinary greens and fairways of what is consistently named the best golf course in continental Europe will once again be the setting for a vibrant tournament featuring more than a dozen winners of majors, former world number ones and other leading players in the highest echelons of the game.
Together with Rahm, stars including Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Sergio García, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed – to mention just a few of the marquee names teeing up this summer at Valderrama – will be showcasing their enormous talent at the 1997 Ryder Cup venue.
At stake will be the glory of victory and prizemoney totaling $25 million – with $4 million for the individual winner.
Let's take a look at the credentials and opinions of some of the extraordinary players who will be playing at Royal Valderrama Club.
Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka is a powerhouse of the golf world, with five career majors. A fan favourite and the captain of Smash GC, Koepka holds many “firsts.” He became the first active LIV Golf League member to hoist a major trophy at the 2023 PGA Championship. He was also the first golfer to win consecutive titles in two majors simultaneously, claiming the U.S. Open in 2017 and 2018 as well as the PGA Championship in 2018 and 2019. A dominant force in golf, Brooks Koepka became world number one in 2018 and stayed at the top for 47 weeks. Koepka joined LIV Golf in June 2022.
Greatest influence on golfing career? Tiger Woods and Adam Scott
Golfer you most admire? Adam Scott – because he’s very professional and carries himself well
Number of holes-in-one? 3
If you could play any course in the world, it would be… St Andrews
Golf achievement you’re most proud of? Five majors
Round of golf you’ve enjoyed the most? The round when you win
Your perfect golf shot? When it goes in the hole
If you could acquire one trait from another golfer, what would it be? Bryson’s length
Shot that gives you the most difficulty? Drawing a driver
Most interesting thing about being a professional golfer? Travelling the world
Jon Rahm
The Spaniard has amassed 20 wins over his career, including the 2023 Masters, 2021 U.S. Open, and DP World Tour Championship three times (2017, 2019, 2022). Rahm has played in three consecutive Ryder Cups, helping lead Team Europe to victory in 2018 and 2023. Last year, Rahm won four times while also finishing tied for second in the 151st British Open Championship and tied for fifth in the DP World Tour Championship.
Greatest influence on golfing career? My dad
Golfer you most admire? Seve Ballesteros
Number of holes-in-one? 8
If you could play any course in the world, it would be… Torrey Pines/Riviera/Pebble
Golf achievement you’re most proud of? major championships and my Ben Hogan awards
Round of golf you’ve enjoyed the most? Final round at 2021 U.S. Open
Your perfect golf shot? The one that goes and does what it’s supposed to do
If you could acquire one trait from another golfer, what would it be? Seve’s short game and charisma
Shot that gives you the most difficulty? High draw
Most interesting thing about being a professional golfer? Travel
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is a legendary name in golf and a World Golf Hall of Famer since 2012. Mickelson has taken home three individual NCAA Championships and one team title at Arizona State University. In 1990, he won the U.S. Amateur event. Since turning pro in 1992, Mickelson has collected 57 professional career wins, including six majors – three of those at the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010. Nicknamed “Lefty” due to his left-handed stroke, Mickelson won the PGA Championship in 2005, and won his second at Kiawah Island in 2021. With 20 starts in the British Open Championship, Mickelson eventually won the event in 2013. Mickelson has represented the U.S. in 12 Presidents Cups. He made his LIV Golf debut in 2022 and is captain of LIV Golf HyFlyers GC team. Possessing one of golf's best short games, Mickelson has spent over 25 years in the top 50 of the official world golf rankings and is a popular figure wherever he plays.
Greatest influence on golfing career? Dad
Golfer you most admire? Seve – style and flair
Number of holes-in-one? 47
If you could play any course in the world, it would be… Friar’s Head
Golf achievement you’re most proud of? 2013 British Open
Round of golf you’ve enjoyed the most? Masters final rounds in contention
Your perfect golf shot? Post apologetical fade
If you could acquire one trait from another golfer, what would it be? Dustin’s driver
Shot that gives you the most difficulty? Soft cut from uphill lie
Most interesting thing about being a professional golfer? Seeing the world
Bryson DeChambeau
One of golf’s biggest stars, the American was a two-time individual winner in the LIV Golf League in 2023 (LIV Golf Greenbrier and LIV Golf Chicago) and captain of the 2023 team championship winners, Crushers GC. DeChambeau also tied the record for lowest round in an elite-level men's professional golf tournament with a 58 in the final round of the Greenbrier in 2023. DeChambeau has 10 other professional wins, including his first major at the 2020 U.S. Open. The Crushers GC captain has spent more than 140 weeks in the world’s top 10 and is one of the major draws on the LIV Golf roster.
Greatest influence on golfing career? My dad, Mike Schy, Ben Hogan
Golfer you most admire? Ben Hogan – for his persistence
Number of holes-in-one? 1
If you could play any course in the world, it would be… Cypress Point
Golf achievement you’re most proud of? U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, shooting 58
Round of golf you’ve enjoyed the most? My 61-58 on the weekend of LIV Golf Greenbrier
Your perfect golf shot? One that goes far and straight
If you could acquire one trait from another golfer, what would it be? Tiger’s mentality on the course
Shot that gives you the most difficulty? 60-yard bunker shot
Most interesting thing about being a professional golfer? The platform and impact that you can have to help inspire others
Dustin Johnson
Big-hitting Dustin Johnson is not only one of the biggest stars in golf, but he also has been a dominant force since joining LIV. The 4Aces GC captain has individual wins in all three of his LIV Golf seasons – 2024 Las Vegas, 2023 Tulsa and 2022 Boston. He was also named the season-long individual champion in 2022 by a comfortable margin. Before joining the LIV Golf League, Johnson won tournaments in 15 of his first 16 seasons as a pro, including two majors – the 2016 U.S. Open and 2020 Masters.
Greatest influence on golfing career? Dad and coach Allen Terrell
Golfer you most admire? Jack Nicklaus – GOAT
Number of holes-in-one? 14
If you could play any course in the world, it would be… Augusta National
Golf achievement you’re most proud of? Masters win
Round of golf you’ve enjoyed the most? Sunday at Augusta
Your perfect golf shot? Cut
If you could acquire one trait from another golfer, what would it be? Tiger’s iron game
Shot that gives you the most difficulty? Draw
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is the captain of Ripper GC and claimed his second career individual LIV Golf victory at LIV Golf London in 2023. Smith's other win came in his second start after joining the League in 2022 (Chicago). Winner of 11 other professional events, Smith won five times across multiple tours in 2022. The Australian star joined the immortals when he shot a final-round of 64 to come from four shots back to win the 150th British Open Championship at St Andrews. Smith, who has represented Australia in several team events and won three Australian PGA Championships, reached the heights of number two in the world.
Greatest influence on golfing career? Dad
Golfer you most admire? Adam Scott
Number of holes-in-one? 5
If you could play any course in the world, it would be… Royal Melbourne/St Andrews
Golf achievement you’re most proud of? The Open win
Round of golf you’ve enjoyed the most? Last round at the 2022 Open
Your perfect golf shot? Trim fade
If you could acquire one trait from another golfer, what would it be? Drive like DJ
Shot that gives you the most difficulty? Draw with long irons
Most interesting thing about being a professional golfer? The travelling and different cultures
Sergio García
One of golf’s biggest names and captain of Fireballs GC, the Spaniard is among the most talented and accomplished players of his generation. The winner of 36 tournaments worldwide – including the 2017 Masters – Garcia has a career-best ranking of number two and has spent more than 450 weeks in the world top 10. A Ryder Cup specialist, he’s represented Europe on 10 occasions and his haul of 28.5 points is higher than any other player.
Greatest influence on golfing career? My dad
Golfer you most admire? Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal
Number of holes-in-one? 13
If you could play any course in the world, it would be… Valderrama
Golf achievement you’re most proud of? 2017 Masters and all the Ryder Cups
Round of golf you’ve enjoyed the most? Last round of 1999 PGA Championship
Your perfect golf shot? The one that comes out exactly like I picture in my mind
If you could acquire one trait from another golfer, what would it be? Jon Rahm’s putting
Shot that gives you the most difficulty? Putting
Most interesting thing about being a professional golfer? Doing what you love and being able to help people because of it
