Team Power Rankings: LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster

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LIV Golf Dustin Johnson
Team Captain Dustin Johnson of 4 Aces GC and caddie Austin Johnson walk to the 4th tee during day 2 of the LIV Golf Invitational - Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GC on July 01, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Jamie Squire for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

The third leg of the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series gets underway on Friday from famed Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

One of the most exciting twists about the upstart tour is team play, where players compete in traditional stroke-play format, while simultaneously competing as part of a four-man team for all the glory… and prizes. (Over the first two rounds, the best two stroke play scores will count for each team. For the third and final round, the best three scores will count. The lowest overall team score after 54 holes is the team winner.)

In the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational London at Centurion Club, Stinger GC, captained by Louis Oosthuizen, alongside fellow South Africans Charl Schwartzel, Hennie du Plessis and Branden Grace, took first place with a three-day score of 20-under-par. 4 Aces GC captain Dustin Johnson and his all-American lineup of Talor Gooch, Pat Perez and Patrick Reed took home the team trophy in the LIV Golf Invitational Portland.

The American foursome will defend their first LIV Golf team title against a field that welcomes four notable names making their LIV Golf debuts: 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson, former world No. 3 Paul Casey, 11-time champion Jason Kokrak and veteran pro Charles Howell III.

With that, here are the power rankings for the team competition at LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster.

12. Punch GC

2022 LIV Golf Portland
Matt Jones hits out of a bunker on the 1st hole during a practice round prior to the LIV Golf Invitational–Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GC in No. Plains, Oregon on June 27, 2022. (Photo by Steve Dykes for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Travis Smyth joins the all-Australian team captained by Wade Ormsby. Smyth joins compatriots Jediah Morgan and Matt Jones, who is the team’s top-ranked name.

Team: Wade Ormsby (C), Jediah Morgan, Travis Smyth, Matt Jones


11. Niblicks GC

Niblicks GC LIV Golf Hudson Swafford
Hudson Swafford of Niblicks GC on the 1st hole during the pro-am ahead of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GC on June 29, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Jamie Squire for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Hudson Swafford is the new captain of this new all-American team. Swafford takes over for Graeme McDowell (who was reportedly traded to Cleeks GC for a pint of Guinness). Peter Uihlein joins teammate James Piot as past winners of the U.S. Amateur. Turk Pettit rounds out the foursome.

Team: Hudson Swafford (C), Peter Uihlein, James Piot, Turk Pettit


10. Torque GC

Torque GC LIV Golf Jinichiro Kozuma
Jinichiro Kozuma of Torque GC with his caddie on the 17th hole during day 1 of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GC on June 30, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Charles Laberge for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

The all-Japanese team captained by Hideto Tanihara finished fourth in Portland, just one stroke off the podium. Jinichiro Kozuma was the team’s top performer, placing solo sixth in the individual standings and ranking as the second-best putter among all 48 players in the field. Yuki Inamori tied for 10th, while Tanihara and Ryosuke Kinoshita also finished inside the top 24.

Team: Hideto Tanihara (C), Jinichiro Kozuma, Yuki Inamori, Ryosuke Kinoshita


09. Iron Heads GC

Iron Heads GC LIV Golf Kevin Na
Team Captain Kevin Na of Iron Heads GC walks from the 17th tee during day 3 of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GClub on July 02, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Jamie Squire/LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Captain Kevin Na and Sadom Kaewkanjana have been the constants for Iron Heads in all three events, with Phachara Khongwatmai joining the team in Portland. Kaewkanjana comes in with momentum after finishing T-11 at the Open Championship – the best finish ever by a Thai player in that major. Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent rounds out the team.

Team: Kevin Na (C), Sadom Kaewkanjana, Phachara Khongwatmai, Scott Vincent


08. Cleeks GC

Cleeks GC LIV Golf Martin Kaymer
Team Captain Martin Kaymer of Cleeks GC heads to the driving range during day 1 of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GC on June 30, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Chris Trotman for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Captain Martin Kaymer has three new teammates, including former Niblicks GC captain Graeme McDowell, for his all-European team. Kaymer (Germany) and McDowell (Northern Ireland) have each won a U.S. Open. Englishman Laurie Canter joins the team after playing for Majesticks GC in the first two events. The final spot is held down by Spain’s David Puig, currently sitting 9th in the world amateur rankings.

Team: Martin Kaymer (C), Graeme McDowell, Laurie Canter, David Puig (Am)


07. Hy Flyers GC

LIV Golf London Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson looks on as Phil Mickelson tees off on the 4th tee on day one of the LIV Golf Invitational London at The Centurion Club in St Albans on June 9, 2022. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP via Getty Images)

Captained by Phil Mickelson, the team gets Justin Harding back. One of the most consistent performers in the first two LIV Golf events, Harding returns after playing for the Crushers in Portland. Harding tied for 10th in London while playing for Hy Flyers GC, then tied for 8th in Portland. Matthew Wolff and Bernd Wiesberger remain on the team. Wolff tied for 8th in his LIV Golf debut in Portland.

Team: Phil Mickelson (C), Matthew Wolff, Bernd Wiesberger, Justin Harding


06. Smash GC

Brooks Koepka 2022 LIV Golf-Portland
Team Captain Brooks Koepka of Smash GC warms up on the putting green during day 3 of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GC on July 2, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Chris Trotman for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

New LIV Golf member Jason Kokrak joins the team captained by Brooks Koepka. The big-hitting Kokrak has won three tournaments since October 2020 and will add a powerful presence off the tee. Smash GC finished sixth in Koepka’s debut in Portland, with all four players finishing inside the top 30, including Chase Koepka and Richard Bland.

Team: Brooks Koepka (C), Jason Kokrak, Chase Koepka, Richard Bland


05. Majesticks GC

2022 LIV Golf-Portland Ian Poulter
Ian Poulter of Majesticks GC plays his shot from the 6th tee during day 1 of the LIV Golf Invitational-Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GC on June 30, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Chris Trotman for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Major winner and Olympic medalist Henrik Stenson makes his LIV Golf debut in Bedminster by joining captain Lee Westwood’s team. Stenson, Westwood and teammate Ian Poulter have combined to make nearly 1,900 worldwide starts in their careers. Majesticks took third place in London and eighth in Portland. Englishman Sam Horsfield is the final member of the high-profile team.

Team: Lee Westwood (C), Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Sam Horsfield


04. Crushers GC

2022 LIV Golf Bryson Dechambeau
Team Captain Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC plays a shot on the driving range during day 3 of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GC on July 2, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Paul Casey and Charles Howell III make their LIV Golf debuts in Bedminster by joining captain Bryson DeChambeau’s team, giving the Crushers a huge upgrade. Casey and Howell add plenty of experience, combining for 1,100-plus worldwide starts in their professional careers. DeChambeau and Shaun Norris are the two carryovers from Portland, where DeChambeau made his LIV Golf debut, finishing solo 10th.

Team: Bryson DeChambeau (C), Paul Casey, Charles Howell III, Shaun Norris


03. Fireballs GC

2022 LIV Golf-Portland Caddie Bib Team Names
The caddie bib of Fireballs GC Captain Sergio Garcia is shown during day 2 of the LIV Golf Invitational-Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GC on July 1, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

The all-Spanish speaking team captained by Sergio Garcia remains intact for Bedminster. Thanks to a birdie by Carlos Ortiz on the final hole, Fireballs GC broke a tie with Torque GC to claim the $500,000 team prize for third place in Portland. Ortiz and Abraham Ancer played for Mexico in the Tokyo Olympics, while Garcia played for Spain at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Former amateur star Eugenio Chacarra of Spain made his pro debut in Portland, finishing T-27. Ancer (T-11) and Garcia (T-68) made the cut at the Open Championship.

Team: Sergio Garcia (C), Carlos Ortiz, Abraham Ancer, Eugenio Chacarra


02. Stinger GC

Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen and Hennie du Plessis
Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen and Hennie du Plessis of Stinger GC smile with the trophy after winning the team portion of LIV Golf Invitational – London at The Centurion Club on June 11, 2022 in St Albans, England. (Photo by John Phillips / LIV Golf via Getty Images)

The all-South African team captained by Louis Oosthuizen has been the most successful in the first two LIV Golf events, winning by 14 strokes in London and finishing second in Portland. Stinger GC players also have won each of the first two individual trophies with Charl Schwartzel (London) and Branden Grace (Portland). Each of the four members has finished inside the top 5 in at least one of the first two events, including Hennie Du Plessis, who scored the silver medal in London.

Team: Louis Oosthuizen (C), Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, Hennie Du Plessis


01. 4 Aces GC

Team 4 Aces Wins 2022 LIV Golf-Portland
(L to R) Pat Perez, Talor Gooch, Team Captain Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed of Team 4 Aces GC pose with the team trophy after winning the team portion of the LIV Golf Invitational–Portland at Pumpkin Ridge GC on July 2, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Chris Trotman for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

The all-American team captained by Dustin Johnson won by seven strokes in Portland after a lineup revision. Newcomers Patrick Reed and Pat Perez were added to the team for Portland while Talor Gooch moved over from Torque GC. Reed and Johnson tied for third individually, with Reed claiming the podium spot via tiebreaker. Johnson (T6), Gooch (T34) and Reed (T47) made the cut at the Open Championship.

Team: Dustin Johnson (C), Patrick Reed, Talor Gooch, Pat Perez

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4 COMMENTS

  1. imagine: reporting on a team sporting event from a team sporting event angle. you’re still the only one to do it!
    that being said.. i think you’re sleeping on torque. !! if you dont mind, my ranks would be
    1. stinger
    2. fireballs
    3. 4 aces
    4. torque
    5. smash (kokrak is a bigger add for smash than casey is for crushers..)
    6. crushers
    7. cleek
    8. hiflyer
    9. ironhead
    10. majestik (disappointing first two events and lost their best performer laurie canter)
    11. niblick
    12. punch (do you think there’s anything to the leishman, scott, + cam smith rumor to make punch into an aussie dream team?)
    the top 4 are also the teams that seem most ‘all-in’ on being a team.
    i wish draftkings would let us bet the teams!
    thanks for the write up, jeff, much appreciated.
    • Thanks, Mike. Yes, Torque is sneaky good… They will be even better when Hideki Matsuyama takes over as captain in Boston. 😉

      Yes, I am hearing from solid sources that the rumor of an elite team of Aussies will be in Boston: Smith, Scott and Leishman.

      DraftKings and other bookmakers will offer team betting next season when they are more permanent.
      -Jeff

  2. The PGA TOUR fan boys (and girls to be politically correct) mock the team feature but they clearly don’t get the gambling aspect. It’s a hugely enticing and popular betting prop. Why do you think bookmakers offer props like pick 2 and or pick 3 players as best finishers. It’s the exact same thing except real. Then for revenue you can sell the franchises and team owners sign and trade players, market and sell apparel and build a fan base similar to F1 teams. It’s a gold mine and exactly what golf needs.

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