By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
LIV Golf UK Presented by JCB 2026 begins on Thursday at JCB Golf & Country Club where 57 players will compete across four days of individual and team competition as the League returns to Staffordshire for its third consecutive edition at the elite venue.
Gates open at 10:00 Thursday through Sunday for fans, with shotgun starts scheduled for 13:15 Thursday-Saturday and 13:05 on Sunday for the final round.
Defending individual champion Joaquin Niemann returns to Rocester following his 2025 victory, while two-time defending UK team champions Legion XIII — captain Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin and Caleb Surratt — are back after a decisive win at JCB that helped power the team to the 2025 season title. Home support will once again center on Majesticks Golf Club’s all-UK lineup of Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Laurie Canter and Sam Horsfield. Niemann and Hatton spoke on Wednesday ahead of the event start.
Speaking to media on Wednesday, Niemann said about the course: “It’s obviously nice to be back here in JCB. It’s a great golf course, good setup. Conditions are amazing. JCB does a great job here maintaining the golf course the best they can. I love playing here. I feel like it’s a course that really sets up really nicely for my game off the tee.”
Niemann, whose Torque GC squad enters the week third in the team standings and still chasing its first team win of the season, spoke about what a win this week would mean to him: “It would mean a lot. We’re coming to the end of the season pretty quick. We’re definitely playing great golf, the four of us. I feel like this is our part of the year, and we’re just going to try our best to deliver.”
Legion XIII’s Hatton, a member of the two-time defending UK team champions, also spoke Wednesday as the team looks to continue its success at JCB Golf & Country Club.
Hatton said Legion XIII’s depth gives the group confidence at most venues: “Across us four players, it’s not really too many weaknesses, so most courses we go to, if we play well, we’ll give ourselves a chance of winning.”
Hatton also welcomed the change to the 6th hole, which will now play as a par 5: “I think it will probably make the hole play a little bit better. It’ll probably be another birdie opportunity, so if that helps scoring, it will be a little bit more exciting for people watching.”
Featured Tee Times (Hole 1 Starters)
Hole 1 — Group #1 (1:15 PM start)
- Lucas Herbert (Ripper GC)
- Jon Rahm (Legion XIII)
- Ian Poutler (Majesticks GC)
Hole 1 — Group #2 (1:26 PM)
- Tyrrell Hatton (Legion XIII)
- Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers GC)
- Lee Westwood (Majesticks GC)
Limited tickets for LIV Golf UK Presented by JCB from 23-26 July are still available. More information is available at www.livgolf.com, with all tickets including same-day access to all on-site fan experiences, and Saturday tickets including the LIV Golf After Play concert performance. Children aged 12 and under receive complimentary Grounds Pass admission (one per paying adult), with group tickets, hospitality and premium experiences also available.