Can the Bomb and Gouge Players Adjust to HKGC?
_{Hong Kong Golf Club presents a different test than most modern tour players are used to seeing - who will adjust the best?}

The course this week undoubtedly favors the ball-strikers. Hong Kong Golf Club will only be playing around 6700 yards but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be easiest on the long hitters.

This course brings has some winding, narrow, tree lined fairways players will have to deal with. The one’s who will fare the best here will be the ones that can control their shots off the tee and get themselves looks into the green from the best possible angles. If you bomb it long and off line, much of the time you’ll be looking at a punch out with no shot at the green.

Last year this event was won by Abe Ancer, one of the tour’s best when it comes to both driving accuracy and approach shots. He also was lights out with the flat stick that week, gaining over 1.5 strokes on the field per round. He took a five shot lead into the final round, didn’t play his best, and eventually beat Paul Casey and Cameron Smith in a playoff.

The question this week will be who plays it smart, who doesn’t force the driver, and who executes when they’ve got a good look into the green. Cam Smith’s driver struggles are no secret, and last year he played smart and nearly won the event. Guys like Bryson and Burmester will look to use their distance to their advantage, but they need to be smart about it and not put themselves in disadvantageous positions around this course.

This is a test we don’t see much anymore in professional golf, with most courses playing well over 7000 yards, so it’s going to be interesting to watch. It gives guys like Kevin Na, guys like Graeme McDowell, and guys like Henrik Stenson a real shot to win.

Will Joaco Keep His Foot on the Gas?

_{He’s looking to stay in form heading into major season, and he loves this course.}

Joaquin Niemann’s last round in Adelaide was no joke. 65 around a fast and firm course in windy conditions to win the event by three shots was just the reminder everyone needed. There’s only a handful of players with more talent than Niemann, and when he’s in good form he’s going to be a problem for everybody else on the course.

Coming off a win and on to a course that he enjoys and plays well at is the perfect setup for Niemann. He’s got confidence and the form to back it up. He finished T4 here last year after shooting 63 in the final round. I think we see Niemann get off to a hot start and be right near the top of the leaderboard through the first round and then hang out there the rest of the way. Niemann is undoubtedly an elite talent and one of the most fun players to watch when he’s playing well, and that’s exactly what he’s been doing lately.

He just hasn’t been able to peak at the right times for majors, and he’s well aware of that. Niemann is an elite ball striker who can pipe the ball out there as far as anyone. With the unique course they’ll be playing this week, he’s got a great opportunity to take advantage of his elite ball-striking and could win this event by several shots if he does.

With just over 34 days until The Masters, which Niemann has received a special invitation to, he’ll be looking to remain in good form these next couple of weeks before heading to Augusta. Joaco is a guy who’s admittedly fueled by the detractors, and he’s heard all of the criticism about his major performances. If he plays well this week and next in Singapore, he’ll have a solid week of rest before heading to Doral and then Augusta.

Patrick Reed - Could This be His Event?
_{Ripper GC won in a rowdy team playoff in their home country last year, and the crowds will surely be pulling for the repeat.}

If you told me 3 years ago that Patrick Reed had played in every single LIV event and hadn’t recorded a win, I’d have a really hard time believing that. He’s been playing at such a high level for such a long time that it almost just doesn’t make sense at this point that he hasn’t won yet.

He’s been good for a few top 5s each year but just hasn’t been able to find the top of the podium. But this week could be the one, and that’s not just from a “he’s due” standpoint. While last year at this event he didn’t have his best and finished T29, he came back to Hong Kong Golf Club in November and won the Hong Kong Open by three shots. In that victory was a third round 59 where he birdied 6 of his first 7 holes.

Can’t imagine he’ll play a course all year that he’s got more confidence at than Hong Kong Golf Club. Reed will be looking to get the weight off of his shoulders and claim his first LIV Golf victory as he ramps up his playing and practice intensity heading into Augusta.

Patrick hasn’t had his best so far this season as he played quite poorly in both Riyadh and Adelaide, but if there was ever the perfect place for that to get turned around it’s here. He’s a guy who’s historically started a bit slower and ramped up as the season went on, so for him to be playing his sixth event of the season at a course he shot 59 at, I think there’s a real chance we see him near the top of the leaderboard come Sunday. And if he gets a couple of bounces, this could be the one.