HONG KONG RECAP: MCDOWELL SUPERB FOR SMASH GC

Graeme McDowell is quickly becoming one of the best storylines of the 2024 LIV Golf League season. He has already been key in helping lead Smash Golf Club to a team victory in Las Vegas, and the confidence since then has been evident.

McDowell started fast and closed strong at LIV Golf Hong Kong, finishing 10 under for the week, good enough for a T-8 finish. He nearly bested his finish in Las Vegas, where he posted a T-5.

The 2010 U.S. Open champion opened with a nice 1-under 69 on Friday in Hong Kong, but he really got it going on the weekend. His second-round 6-under 66 was one of the best of the day, and when conditions grew tougher on Sunday, McDowell didn’t flinch and posted a stellar 3-under 67.

Teammate Talor Gooch, the reigning season-long Individual Champion, was solid through two rounds and sat at 3 under, but he hit another gear on Sunday with a 4-under 66 in wet and windy conditions. Gooch finished T-21 and can take plenty of positives from how he closed.

Captain Brooks Koepka got out to a fast start on Friday, firing a 5-under 65 to lead his team. He followed it up with a nice 2-under 68 to make a move on the leaderboard. When conditions worsened on Sunday, Koepka shot 71 to take a small step back, but his overall play from the week was at a high level.

Jason Kokrak, who has been a reliable member in 2024, had a blip in the opening two rounds when he was over par, but he fought back on Sunday with a 1-under 69.

The team is in great position through four events and stands third in the season-long team standings. Smash GC has not finished worse than seventh, including the team victory in Las Vegas.

The team will have a break before teeing it up again at LIV Golf Miami from April 5-7 at Trump National Doral.