LIV Golf is set to kick off the 2026 season at Riyadh Golf Club to play ROSHN Group LIV Golf Riyadh. It is the first stop on the 14-event schedule, and the tournament will be played under the lights for a second consecutive season. Last year at Riyadh Golf Club, Adrian Meronk claimed his first LIV Golf individual victory and Legion XIII took the team title in dominant fashion. The course is a par 72 measuring 7,454-yards and will demand strong off the tee play and the ability to make birdies in bunches.

TEAM POWER RANKINGS  
1. Legion XIII 

Last season, Legion XIII won the team title in Riyadh by a comfortable margin of 11 shots. All four members of the team finished in the top 15 of the individual standings with Jon Rahm the best of bunch, finishing T2, two strokes behind Meronk. Not only does Legion XIII have two of the best players in the league in Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, but Caleb Surratt’s history at Riyadh Golf Club has been nothing short of phenomenal. The 21-year-old has played the course three times as part of LIV Golf and the International Series and boasts finishes of 11th, T2 and 2nd.  

2. Torque GC 

Torque GC finished T9 at LIV Golf Riyadh last season, but they are simply too strong on paper this year to rank any lower than 2nd. The addition of Abraham Ancer to replace Mito Pereira, who struggled for much of 2025, makes them one of the favorites every week. Last year, Pereira finished T49 after posting a total score of even par while his teammate, Sebastian Munoz, finished T2. Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann also underperformed, finishing T33. I expect a better performance from Torque in Riyadh this season.  

3. Ripper GC 

Ripper GC captain Cameron Smith will be highly motivated to start the season and finished T2 at the 2024 PIF Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club. The last time we saw Smith, he was in contention at the Crown Australian Open, ultimately finishing runner-up. Last season, Ripper finished 2nd on the team leaderboard, led by a strong performance from Lucas Herbert (T4). An energized Smith to go along with a team that fits the course well and a new addition of Elvis Smylie should challenge for a spot on the podium this week.  

4. 4Aces GC 

Despite losing Patrick Reed, I am high on the 4Aces chances this week in Riyadh. Both Belgians, Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry, suit the course beautifully and should be in store for a big week. Captain Dustin Johnson has performed well in the Middle East throughout his career and is a candidate for a bounce-back season. This week, the 4Aces will tune out the outside noise and perform on the golf course.  

5. Fireballs GC 

Although the overall roster may be slightly less impressive on paper with the loss of Abraham Ancer, the expected growth of young stars David Puig and Josele Ballester could very well make up the difference of losing the Mexican. Last year, both Puig and Captain Sergio Garcia finished T6 at the event.