The PGA Tour recently announced that Liberty National Golf Club will host the 2021 Northern Trust (formerly The Barclays). Though New Jersey hasn’t hosted a PGA Tour Major since the 2016 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club, this will be the fourth time Liberty National has hosted the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
The Jersey City, New Jersey club has hosted previous Northern Trust competitions in 2009, 2013, and 2019 to great success. Along with other favorite courses, like the Ridgewood Country Club and Bethpage Black (NY), Liberty National Golf Club has become a staple for the first round of the FedEx Cup Playoffs—but it’s not just amazing views of the Lower Manhattan skyline that the club has to offer.
With New Jersey leading the US’s current sports betting boom, attendees to the Northern Trust will be treated to more than a view of the New York City horizon. With multiple sites tailored to NJ customers and a wide variety of wagering options, golf punters will have more to do than spectate on the greens—and they’ll also be treated to the state’s highly competitive promotions for first-timers.
As one of the most popular events in the annual PGA Tour schedule, Liberty National provides an unforgettable day for fans and competitors alike. Patrick Reed took his second Northern Trust title in 2019, but Dustin Johnson picked up his third in 2020.
That means this year’s competition will be fierce as Reed looks to tie with Johnson. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau will be looking to pick up his second Northern Trust title this year.
A Unique Course
From its history to its member list, Liberty National Golf Course isn’t like other green. First and foremost, the golf club is one of the newest in the PGA’s rotation. Constructed and established in 2006, the facilities include a standard clubhouse, as well as guest villas, a teaching area, and a wide range of luxurious amenities that include a yacht service, helipad, and spa.
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In terms of the putting greens, master course architects Robert E. Cupp and Tom Kite undertook the project. The result is 18 holes with greens and fairways of bentgrass with a par of 72. The total length of the course is 7,387 yards and a course rating of 77.7.
However, it’s Liberty National’s view that makes it stand out. Located in New York Bay, the course has a perfect view of downtown Manhattan. This view features the Statue of Liberty, the Freedom Tower, and many other iconic New York City locations.
Additionally, the grounds abut a nature reserve and bird sanctuary, which means visitors get to experience the tri-state New York area’s limited opportunities to engage with wildlife. Because of its location near the city and its exclusive views, Liberty National has members like Phil Mickelson, Justin Timberlake and Mark Wahlberg.
Favorites for the 2021 Northern Trust
As mentioned above, the upcoming event at Liberty National is one of the PGA Tour’s most exciting competitions as it signals the start of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Though not as prestigious as one of the four majors, the FedEx Cup this August will highlight some of the ongoing rivalries in the golf world.
As usual, Tiger Woods is surrounded by optimistic fans who’d like to see the great take home more titles before he retires. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau is still looking to prove his experiments with muscle mass won’t be useless against the technical skills of players like Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson.
Most pundits and punters will likely be backing Dustin Johnson, who’s fresh off last year’s second win at the Northern Trust along with his dominative performance at the 2020 Masters. With his world ranking at No. 1, Johnson’s odds at the Northern Trust will depend on how he performs between now and the 18 August start of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
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