LIV Golf’s international schedule moves into Asia this week for the third event of the 2026 season and there are few stops on the calendar that blend history and modern firepower quite like Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling.
After a thrilling opening stretch in Riyadh and Adelaide, the HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament from March 5 to 8 begins a run of three consecutive events across two continents and the storylines are already stacking up.
At the centre of it all this week is Sergio Garcia.
LIV Golf Hong Kong 2026 preview: Sergio Garcia headlines Fanling return
Twelve months ago Garcia produced one of the most complete performances of his LIV career, cruising to an 18 under par victory at Fanling and leading Fireballs GC to a commanding team triumph.
Hong Kong has become fertile ground for the Spaniard. It was here that he reignited Ryder Cup talk, openly expressing his desire to extend his European legacy. It never materialised, but the competitive edge still burns.
Why Hong Kong Golf Club suits Garcia’s game
Garcia remains the Ryder Cup’s record points scorer and few venues on the LIV calendar suit his eye quite like this one. Fanling traditionally rewards precision, patience and shot making rather than raw power. Those traits have defined his career.
He returns not simply as defending champion but as a man who has already shown how to seize early season momentum.
LIV Golf Hong Kong teams: Can Ripper GC match Fireballs’ early season streak
Ripper GC arrive in Hong Kong having won the opening two team events of 2026. Another victory would make it three in succession and put them firmly at the top of the season narrative.
It would not be unprecedented. Garcia’s Fireballs GC achieved exactly that in 2025 by sweeping the first three events of the campaign and establishing early season dominance.
Ripper GC chasing three straight team titles
Now the roles are reversed. Garcia returns as defending individual champion watching another team threaten to replicate what his own side accomplished last year.
Captain Cameron Smith and his all Australian line up were electric in Adelaide, feeding off home support. Hong Kong presents a different examination with tree lined fairways, tight landing areas and an emphasis on placement over power.
If they succeed they match Garcia’s benchmark. If they fall short, Fireballs GC will be waiting to remind everyone who set it.
Jon Rahm DP World Tour dispute: Hong Kong adds extra spotlight
The Legion XIII captain has finished runner-up in each of the first two LIV events of 2026 and has now been runner-up in four consecutive regular season tournaments. His consistency is extraordinary, yet the absence of victories has become a talking point.
Away from the course, the DP World Tour dispute continues to gather momentum. Eight LIV players recently agreed a settlement with the DP World Tour, paying outstanding fines and withdrawing their appeals in exchange for releases that allow them to compete in both circuits while retaining Ryder Cup eligibility.
Rahm’s runner-up streak and appeal explained
Rahm has refused to sign the agreement, which reportedly includes fines in the region of £2.5m and a commitment to play a stipulated number of DP World Tour events. He has continued with his appeal.
Rahm spoke ahead of the LIV event in Hong Kong, saying:
“I don’t know what game they’re trying to play right now but it just seems like in a way they’re using us to (capitalize on) our impact in tournaments and fining us and trying to benefit both ways from what we have to offer.
“And it’s just in a way they’re extorting players like myself and young players that have nothing to do with the politics of the game.”
He added:
“Now, I did tell them, funny enough, lower that to four events, like the minimum says, and I’ll sign tonight.
“They haven’t agreed to that. I just refuse to play six events. I don’t want to, and that’s not what the rules say.”
On the course, his form remains relentlessly consistent. He has never finished outside the top ten in a LIV event and his sequence of runner-up finishes underlines just how close he is to converting dominance into silverware.
Fanling may provide the opportunity. It is a thinking player’s course and Rahm’s control and iron play make him a natural fit.
Anthony Kim LIV comeback: From Wild Card to 4Aces contender
Sixteen years after his last professional victory, Kim completed a remarkable comeback in Adelaide. That win carried added significance. It was his first victory since joining LIV Golf in 2024 after a 12 year retirement and it came in his debut event as a full time member of 4Aces GC.
Until then, Kim had competed exclusively as an independent Wild Card without the security or support of a permanent team.
Kim’s first win as a full time 4Aces GC player
His triumph in Adelaide marked the first time he lifted a trophy while representing a franchise rather than playing on the periphery of the field. Now fully embedded within 4Aces GC, he arrives in Hong Kong with renewed belief and a clearer sense of belonging.
The challenge shifts from comeback story to sustained contender. A strong showing here would confirm that his resurgence is no fleeting moment.
Hong Kong Golf Club course guide: Par 70 layout at Fanling
Hong Kong Golf Club, established in 1889, is one of Asia’s most storied venues and one of the few clubs in the world alongside Augusta National to have staged the same professional tournament for more than six decades.
The composite layout at Fanling plays to a par 70 measuring 6,711 yards. It is not long by modern standards, but it demands precision.
Key holes and scoring trends at Fanling
Tree lined fairways frame almost every tee shot. The 493 yard ninth traditionally plays as the sternest test, while the 529 yard par five 13th, shared with the 17th on a vast double green, offers a prime scoring opportunity.
Last year’s stroke average dipped below 68, suggesting that low scoring is available when conditions cooperate. Forecasts indicate mild temperatures, light winds and minimal chance of rain, which should encourage attacking play.
This is a course that rewards discipline and creativity in equal measure.
LIV Golf Hong Kong 2026 prize money, format and UK tee times
Alongside Garcia and Rahm, the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, David Puig and Smith feature prominently among the contenders.
The format remains 72 holes with a shotgun start and no cut, featuring 57 players across 13 teams plus Wild Cards.
Prize fund, format and broadcast details
The individual purse stands at $20m, with $4m to the winner, while the team prize fund totals $10m, with $3m awarded to the victorious quartet.
UK tee times GMT
- Thursday 5:15am
- Friday 4:15am
- Saturday 5:15am
- Sunday 3:35am
Coverage in the United States will once again air across FOX Sports platforms, with expanded coverage this year following LIV Golf’s new broadcast agreement with FOX. UK viewers can watch on TNT Sports with coverage beginning 30 minutes before play. Readers can click here to see full leaderboards and further event details on the official LIV Golf website.
Garcia returns to the scene of a defining victory. Rahm searches for a first win of the season amid continued scrutiny. Ripper GC chase a third straight team title, a feat Fireballs GC achieved only a year ago. At Fanling, past precedent meets present ambition and the 2026 season could take a decisive turn.
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LIV Golf Hong Kong 2026 Key Details
- Sergio Garcia defends his Hong Kong title on a course that perfectly suits his precision game.
- Jon Rahm arrives amid DP World Tour tension while chasing a first win of the 2026 season after four straight runner-up finishes.
- Ripper GC seek a third straight team victory, aiming to match Fireballs GC’s early season three-event sweep from 2025.
