Money. That’s what differentiates the LIV Tour’s third tournament in Chicago from the others in the circuit’s first three seasons.
The event that tees off on Friday at Bolingbrook Golf Club will have the standard purse for the Saudi-backed circuit — $20 in the individual competition and $5 million in the team competition. That was also the case in LIV’s first two Chicago events at Rich Harvest Farms, in Sugar Grove.
This three-day event – last of the regular season — will also decide the three players picking up bonus checks for their season-long performances. Those checks are hefty, too — $18 million for first place, $8 million for second and $4 million for third.
Only Spain’s Jon Rahm and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann are still mathematically in contention for the top prize, but five others – Tyrrell Hatton, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Cameron Smith and Brooks Koepka – could claim third-place money.
Niemann, who won two of the season’s first three tournaments, held the point lead until Rahm got hot in the last two. He won his first LIV title in the United Kingdom and had a playoff loss to Brooks Koepka in the last event at Greenbrier in West Virginia. Rahm goes into Bolingbrook with 195.17 points and Niemann with 192.20.
“I’m probably going to need to win,’’ said Rahm. “(Niemann) is going to be up there. I’m going to need another good week.’’
“(Rahm) has been playing great lately, so he’s probably going to do the same. I’ve got to try to bring my A-game,’’ said Niemann. He didn’t do it at Greeenbrier, finishing tied for 15th after three straight top-six finishes.
Niemann, however, is the season money leader with $14.5 million in 12 tournaments. Rahm, who had to withdraw at Houston, has $12.7 million.
Much more is on the line than bonus money, too. Bolinbrook is the last tournament for players to secure their positions on the LIV circuit for next season. The top 24 get in. Those from 25-48 fall into the Open Zone and can move around the teams. Those from 49 or below go to the Drop Zone and are relegated off the circuit for individual spots in tournaments in 2025.
Bolingbrook also decides the three teams that will receive first-round byes in the season-ending Team Championship Sept. 20-22 at Maridoe in Dallas.