Chicago Recap: 4Aces GC show grit in Chicago, turns attention to Dallas

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. - The regular-season finale at LIV Golf Chicago provided plenty of storylines for 4Aces Golf Club, affecting everything from the upcoming Team Championship in Dallas to players’ eligibility for the 2025 season.  

4Aces GC entered the week No. 10 in the season-long team standings and was out of the race to earn a bye for the first round at this week’s Team Championship. But there was plenty to play for when it came to individual players trying to earn status for 2025. 

Harold Varner III began the week No. 47 in the season-long individual standings, which was just two spots inside the Open Zone. The Open Zone consists of spots Nos. 25-48, and players that land there can be potentially traded or released by their team but not relegated out of the league. Varner III finished an impressive T13 in Chicago and moved up to No. 43 in the Open Zone. 

Teammate Pat Perez entered the week No. 48 and in the last spot in the Open Zone. Needing a good week to remain in the Open Zone, he entered Sunday at 7-over for the week but battled back to shoot 2-under 68 in the final round to end the regular season where he started the week, at No. 48 and in the Open Zone. Had he finished one spot lower, he would have been regulated out of the league. 

Captain Dustin Johnson didn’t have much to worry about entering the week, as he sat No. 14 in the season-long team standings, well within the Lock Zone and a secured spot for 2025. He finished T34 at LIV Golf Chicago and No. 14 in the final individual standings. 

Likewise, Patrick Reed entered Bolingbrook No. 20 in the 2024 individual standings and he secured his spot for next season with a T30 finish at the Chicago event to remain at No. 20 in the standings. 

Overall, the team finished No. 10 out of 13 teams in the season-long team standings. At the Team Championship in Dallas at Maridoe Golf Club, the three top teams in the final team standings earned first-round byes and automatically qualified for Saturday’s semifinals. 

The 10 teams seeded No. 4-13, including 4Aces GC, will compete in five quarterfinal matches on Friday, with matchups determined at a live press conference featuring team captains during tournament week. The five winners of the opening match play round will then advance to the semifinals. 

Also, to add strategy withing the competition, team captains may opt to participate in the singles and foursomes matchups during the first two days of match play.