POWER RANKINGS: 5 PLAYERS, 4 TEAMS FOR LIV GOLF BEDMINSTER

Last month, it was in London at Centurion Club. This week it’s at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, which hosted the tournament last year won by Henrik Stenson (individual) and 4Aces GC (team).

A year ago, Stenson was making his LIV Golf debut, having been dismissed as Ryder Cup captain after his decision to join LIV. And the Aces were coming off their first team victory, just starting their domination with four consecutive team wins.

The Aces are still the team to beat – at least according to the points standings, as they lead through the first 10 events. But their spot at the top is being challenged by Torque GC, which has won a season-high four times, including last week at Greenbrier.

Individually, Stenson is ready to embrace a course that treated him well last year, but it’s Bryson DeChambeau who is now the big target, having won at Greenbrier after his record 12-under 58 in the final round.

With just three events left in the regular season, there is plenty at stake: the Individual Champion race, the top 24 who’ll lock in spots for next year, and the top four spots in the team race that will receive first-round byes for the Team Championship. Eight teams still mathematically have a shot.

With all that in mind, here are the picks for our top five players and top four teams at this week’s LIV Golf Bedminster.

FIVE PLAYERS

1. BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU. He’s found a driver that suits his power game. His putting is sublime (he ranked No. 1 in the field last week). Oh, and he shot 61-58 (21 under) to win at Greenbrier. Will Bedminster be as friendly? Maybe not. Will it matter if Bryson is in the groove? No, it won’t.

2. TALOR GOOCH. He finished 11th in points in Greenbrier, his best result of the season when he wasn’t holding a trophy. A year ago at Bedminster, he tied for 6th on the traditional leaderboard, so the course apparently is to his liking. He needs a strong showing to stay atop the standings.

3. HAROLD VARNER III. Three top-6 finishes in his last five LIV starts – all in the comfy confines of the United States. Varner hadn’t yet joined LIV Golf last year when the Bedminster event was played, but he’s used to winning on Trump properties (see DC).

4. JOAQUIN NIEMANN. In the last five tournaments, every Torque player has at least two top-10 finishes. It’s an amazing level of depth. Playing a hunch here, but the captain is overdue to make noise late Sunday afternoon. But you can also make a case for any of his three teammates – Mito Pereira, Sebastian Munoz or David Puig.

5. MATTHEW WOLFF. Started off strong, then struggled for the middle part of the season. But if last week is any indication … he’s back. A 61 to open, and an eventual T3 finish. Last year at Bedminster? He tied for second.

OTHERS CONSIDERED: Henrik Stenson won in Bedminster last year in his LIV Golf debut. He may not have the, er, motivation that he did a year ago, but he has good vibes here … Anybody notice that Richard Bland finished sixth in London and third last week in Greenbrier? Fun to see him play well … Have no clue what’s going on with Dustin Johnson, who comes off his worst result since the season opener. No one would be surprised if he wins this week … Thinking this could be a good week for Sergio Garcia; he played well here last year.

FOUR TEAMS

1. TORQUE GC. They can’t believe that four wins this season still doesn’t have them at the top of the standings. But they can smell blood. There is no weakness on this team. David Puig may be turning into the most valuable No. 4 of any team.

2. RANGEGOATS GC. Considering that two of their players are in my top five, I pretty much have to put them here. The Goats finished sixth at Greenbrier and now must try to protect their top-four place that receives a bye at the Team Championship.

3. CRUSHERS GC. The Crushers were 46 under last week, and captain DeChambeau supplied half of that total. That doesn’t seem like a sustainable ratio, but expect his three teammates to take it up a notch.

4. 4ACES GC. The last-place finish at Greenbrier is just … weird. We’ve never seen that from Johnson’s team, and you know they aren’t happy about it. With Torque breathing down their necks, they can ill afford another poor result. Expect a bounce-back performance, but maybe not enough to gain the podium.

OTHERS CONSIDERED: Stinger GC is as gritty as any team in the league. They held on to third at Greenbrier despite losing Charl Schwartzel to injury. Dean Burmester is close to making a real statement … The HyFlyers like how they’re trending; I do too. It’s time they find the podium this season.