By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The countdown to LIV Golf New York 2026 is on as teams prepare for the League’s return to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster for the first time since 2023.
On Wednesday, the Pro-Am will tee off at 8:30 a.m. as players finalize preparations alongside celebrities and VIP guests. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil will provide a League update to media at 10 a.m.
The event tees off on Thursday, August 6, at 1:05 p.m. ET for four days and 72 holes of competition featuring 57 of the world’s best golfers from 21 countries headlined by Cam Smith and Lucas Herbert of the Rippers as well Bryson DeChambeau (Captain, Crushers GC), Jon Rahm (Captain, Legion XIII), Dustin Johnson (Captain, 4Aces GC), Sergio Garcia (Captain, Fireballs GC), Martin Kaymer (Captain, Cleeks Golf Club), Bubba Watson (Captain, RangeGoats GC), Joaquin Niemann (Captain, Torque GC) and Southern Guards GC Dean Burmester and Branden Grace.
Captain Louis Oosthuizen continues his recovery from a recurring back injury after deciding following Tuesday’s practice round that he would not tee it up this week.
Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel once again leads the team alongside Grace, Burmester and Martin Vorster, who retains his place in the line-up after an impressive LIV Golf debut in the UK.
Reflecting on LIV Golf UK, Schwartzel believes his game is trending in the right direction despite a frustrating finish.
“I thought I actually played really solid the whole week, said Schwartzel. Unfortunately, a bad double bogey on the last hole left a sour taste, but overall it was one of my more solid weeks.”
Schwartzel also praised Vorster after the young South African impressed during his first LIV Golf appearance.
Looking ahead to Bedminster, Schwartzel expects another demanding test.
“It can be quite a windy golf course and it’s obviously extremely long,” he said.From what we’ve found over the years, it tends to suit the longer hitters, so you need to take advantage of the par fives when the opportunities come.”
Captain Cam Smith on the return to Bedminster after their 2023 team win: “Yeah, it was a good week for us last time we were here. It’s a tough golf course. It’s a tough venue. It’s nice to be back. I remember we all loved the golf course here last time. Went out there yesterday, played 18 holes; not much has really changed. A few holes are maybe a little bit longer. Still the same great venue it was last time. Lots of good memories and lots of good times last time, so hopefully we can keep that rolling this week.”
And on what it means to compete on a team with LIV Golf: “Leish says it a lot; when you’re out of a tournament and the team is doing quite well, it makes you grind for something else and makes you a better golfer. You don’t get those experiences anywhere else. I’ve felt over the last few years when I haven’t been playing my best golf coming down the stretch, a lot of pressure to kind of show up for the team, and otherwise I would have just been finishing 20th or 30th or 40th and it not really mean much. For sure, I think it makes you grind it out, and in the long run hopefully makes you a better golfer.”
Marc Leishman on the challenges the course presents for players this week: “I remember I left on Sunday night here, and I was absolutely exhausted. I feel like every tee shot, you feel like you have to hit the fairway or you feel like you’re pushing water uphill. I remember it tests every part of your game. It’s long. The rough is brutal. The greens are perfect, but you have to be in the right sections of them. It’s just a tough golf course, but it’s a fun course to play, as well, which is, I think, a pretty big compliment. Normally when courses are really, really difficult they’re not that much fun to play. This one I feel like there’s a lot of really cool holes out there.”
Tickets for LIV Golf New York 2026 from August 6-9 are still available for sale including Grounds Pass admission as well as group tickets, hospitality and premium experiences.