Majesticks GC eye a bounce-back week in Hong Kong

HONG KONG – Sunday in Adelaide last month held so much promise for Majesticks GC, who entered the final round with the lead and hopes of winning their first LIV Golf team title.

Alas, it ended in disappointment and frustration.

“Wasn’t the Sunday we wanted,” said co-captain Henrik Stenson.

“I was fuming,” added Sam Horsfield. “Really angry. Really, really not a happy camper on Sunday.”

The Majesticks went from a 1-shot lead after 36 holes to finishing tied for fifth, 12 strokes behind winners Fireballs GC. That extended their podium drought to 34 consecutive tournaments (including Team Championships), longest among the 13 LIV Golf teams.

Meanwhile, Horsfield tied for seventh after shooting a 3-over 75. The fourth top-10 finish of his LIV Golf career wasn’t much of a consolation prize – although it did provide a valuable, if painful, learning opportunity for the 28-year-old.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in that situation,” he said. “So you learn from it, and next time I’m in that situation, you’re going to be better of because of it.”

Now it’s time for the Majesticks to jump back on the proverbial horse.

This week’s LIV Golf Hong Kong should be another legitimate chance to make some noise and hopefully end that streak. It nearly happened a year ago when they finished fourth, just one stroke off the podium and four shots behind the winning Crushers GC. Co-Captains Ian Poulter – who shot a 60 here en route to winning the Hong Kong Open – tied for eighth. So did Stenson. Horsfield, meanwhile, had a top-10 finish.

Hong Kong Golf Club should be a course that fits the Majesticks, who rely on their shot-making ability and course management more than raw power. The team is tied for third in fairways hit this season but last in driving distance.

Long courses may provide a disadvantage, but Hong Kong Golf Club is 6,711 yards, the shortest course on the LIV Golf schedule. It’s a layout the Majesticks expect to play well on – especially given the rainy, windy and cold conditions this week that three Englishmen (Poulter, Horsfield and Co-Captain Lee Westwood) and a Swede (Stenson) should have no trouble handling.

“We showed last year that this is a course that kind of suits the team,” Stenson said. “There’s a couple of holes where you might want to stretch out and the long hitters will gain some advantages on the par 5s and on one or two other par 4s.

“But for the most part, it’s putting it in the right place off the tee and then being accurate.”

Unfortunately, the week hasn’t started out particularly well for Stenson. His clubs didn’t make it on his flight from Orlando, Florida, finally arriving in Hong Kong 36 hours late. And then while working out in the gym Tuesday morning, Stenson “pulled my back a little bit.” Before playing in Thursday’s pro-am, he hadn’t hit a shot this week.

“I guess on a personal level, my expectations are quite low this week,” Stenson said. “But you never know. We’ll do the best we can with whatever we’ve got in front of us.”

Despite the disappointment in Adelaide and the road bumps in Hong Kong, it feels like the Majesticks are on the upswing. This season’s every-score-counts-in-every-round format is a benefit for a team that doesn’t suffer many high scores. At some point, their consistency – and vast experience, saviness and proven talent – will be a successful blend.

Don’t be surprised if it happens this week.

“As a team, we feel more content,” Horsfield said. “We’re feeling like we’re in a good place. Not so many outside noises from within the team, which is good. I think we’re starting to play some decent golf.”

Decent golf is one thing. Reaching the top-3 podium is another. It’s been way too long (since the inaugural 2022 season) for a foursome with a combined 84 professional individual wins, more than any other LIV Golf team.

The Majesticks are overdue. Adelaide was a harsh result. But the promise of better days is here in Hong Kong.