Get ready for an exclusive insight into the minds of golf titans Bryson DeChambeau and Sergio Garcia as they gear up for the highly anticipated LIV Golf debut in Hong Kong.
The captains of Crushers GC and Fireballs GC, respectively, candidly share their thoughts on the vibrant city, their strategies for conquering the Hong Kong Golf Club, and the significance of LIV Golf expanding into new markets.
As the excitement builds for LIV Golf’s venture into Asia, Bryson DeChambeau sheds light on his anticipation for exploring the unique blend of tradition and modernity in Hong Kong. From the allure of the city’s lights to his strategic approach to the golf course, Bryson provides a glimpse into his expectations and the cultural experiences he is eager to embrace.
Sergio Garcia, no stranger to Hong Kong, reflects on his previous experiences in the city and the golf course.
With memories of great restaurants, a lively atmosphere, and a challenging yet beautiful course, Garcia discusses the precision required to navigate the small greens at Hong Kong Golf Club.
Both golfers express their enthusiasm for being part of LIV Golf’s global expansion, emphasizing the importance of making professional golf a truly global sport. Join us as we delve into the world of these golf legends.
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU – CRUSHERS GC
LIV Golf Hong Kong 2024: Preview Interview – Bryson DeChambeau (Thursday, Feb. 1st) from LIVGOLFMEDIA.COM on Vimeo.
Q. LIV Golf heading back to Asia. I know a city that you haven’t been to yet.
What have you heard about Hong Kong? What excites you? And what are you looking forward to?
Bryson Dechambeau: It’s a vibrant city from what I’ve heard. I’ve seen pictures online with lights everywhere, so I’m excited to see that and experience the people and culture.
I like going to different parts of the world, feeling the culture, and understanding what they’re about. I’m not much of a food tester; I stick to my own food!
I try to be comfortable with what I’m eating because I try a lot of other stuff on the golf course.
But I’m excited to see the golf course, the fan base, and get them excited for team golf and LIV Golf. That’s what I’m looking forward to.
Q. As a golfer, how do you adapt your game to different courses?
Hong Kong Golf Course favours strategy over power, how do you expect to get through that one?
Bryson Dechambeau: Well, you hit a lot of irons off the tee, if it’s more of a strategic golf course than a tight golf course.
But I am hitting the driver a lot better, so it’s going to be give or take. It’s just strategy. I’m going to take the course for what it can give me; focus on holes that I can attack.
Even though I hit an iron off the tee doesn’t mean that I’m sending a long iron in because I hit my irons far too.
So, it’s actually a benefit sometimes on shorter golf courses where everyone’s forced to hit an iron off the tee or 3 wood.
Because I have a shorter iron in, sometimes the strategy works for me on short, tight golf courses.
Q. Hong Kong is known for its unique blend of tradition and modernity. How does that influence you on and off the course?
Bryson Dechambeau: Oh, I don’t know how it influenced me on and off the course. I haven’t seen it, so I don’t know.
But what I can tell you is I’m excited for the culture, excited to see what that’s about. I’ve never been to that part of the world.
Singapore was great, Bangkok was awesome. Australia’s great, different obviously, but I’ve been to Japan quite a bit. I like the culture; it’s a very unique, interesting culture that I have great respect for.
Q. LIV Golf is expanding into new markets.
How important is that for LIV Golf to go into new territories, and how can it impact the world?
Bryson Dechambeau: Well, yeah. I think, in general, golf growing globally is a great thing. Investing dollars and putting dollars to work globally for the game of golf to grow this sport, it’s awesome.
We don’t want to pin to one market. We think having a market that is open everywhere and grow and help economies out like we did last year in Australia.
Yeah, it’s something that LIV Golf aspires to do, and we all as team members aspire to do.
SERGIO GARCIA – FIREBALLS GC
LIV Golf Hong Kong 2024: Preview Interview – Sergio Garcia (Thursday, Feb. 1st) from LIVGOLFMEDIA.COM on Vimeo.
Q: You competed in the 2017/2018 edition of the Hong Kong Open.
What were some memories that stood out to you during those events?
Sergio Garcia: Yeah, I remember. I love the city to start with—a great, great city, some great restaurants, and a lot of fun people to hang around with, some good friends.
And then on the golf course, it’s a beautiful course. It’s the kind of golf course that I like—small greens, a nice target golf course.
Not super long, but you have to be very precise. I’m very happy to have the chance to go back there.
Q: Speaking of that golf course, what kind of strategies and adjustments do you plan to employ based on your previous finish in 2018?
Sergio Garcia: Yes, it’s pretty much that. I think it’s the kind of golf course that requires you to be very precise with where you want to place the ball off the tee to have a chance of doing well going into the greens.
Like I said, the greens are not very big, so the targets are small. But I remember it’s always in very, very good shape and should be great fun.
Q: Spanish players have considered success at Fanling, among people like Miguel Jimenez and Jose Lara, all claiming victories.
What does it mean to you to win and be a part of that legacy?
Sergio Garcia: Being a part of that legacy would be great. I’ve played there a couple of times as a European Tour event and did fairly well.
I obviously didn’t win but did okay. So, I’m excited for the possibility of going back there and kind of keep building that Spanish legacy that my fellow Spaniards have built.
Regarding LIV Golf’s emphasis on new markets, Hong Kong is one of them, what do you think is most important about professional golf as it expands into new territories?
Sergio Garcia: Well, I think the most important thing is to make the game global.
It’s like football and everything—it’s a global sport. LIV is doing a great job of making it global, reaching different markets and territories that, unfortunately, they couldn’t get the kind of fields they’re going to get now with all of us going there.
So, I think it’s a great strategy, and I think it helps grow the game everywhere for people to enjoy it, especially those who don’t get to see us that often. That’s why everyone is so excited about it.
For more information on LIV Golf Hong Kong, please visit www.livgolf.com.