Garcia So Close To Securing Royal Portrush Tee-Time

4 months ago by Comments Off on Garcia So Close To Securing Royal Portrush Tee-Time

It’s been two years since Sergio Garcia last contested a 25th career Open Championship.

Now with one round remaining at the LIV Golf Dallas, the proud Fireballs GC Captain is currently is projected to claim the LIV Golf ‘money-list’ exemption for next month’s 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Howeever his advantage over teammate and fellow Spaniard David Puig is down to less than three points.

Puig enters Sunday’s final round tied in Dallas fourth on the tournament leaderboard, while Garcia is outside the points in a tie for 37th. A victory by Puig would net him 40 points in the individual standings, vaulting him past Garcia, unless his captain stages a miracle top-3 finish.

Alternatively, Puig could secure the exemption by finishing solo fourth (18 points) or better if Garcia places outside the points (top 24). Garcia started the week 17.90 points ahead of Puig in the standings.

“It’s definitely a goal of mine,” Puig said. “Anytime someone can avoid going to the qualifier, it’s great. That’s the main goal. Obviously, I want to play the Open. It’s one of the best tournaments of the year. I really want to be there, and I’m trying to do as much as I can and my part to be able to be there.”

Other contenders, like Ripper GC’s Lucas Herbert (seventh) and Torque GC’s Sebastian Munoz (eighth), remain mathematically in the hunt, but their paths are narrower – Herbert or Muñoz would need to race up the leaderboard significantly with Puig dropping in the final round.

Another Fireballs player, Abraham Ancer, also has an outside shot but would need help from Puig and Garcia.

Englishman Richard Bland’s decision to play LIV Golf Dallas and improve his status for next season is looking like a smart move, as he enters the final round tied for fourth.

Bland is the defending champion of the U.S. Senior Open, which is taking place this week. The Cleeks Golf Club veteran, after his 3-under 69 on Saturday, is tied for fourth and four shots off the lead at Maridoe.

“Obviously you always want to defend something you won the year before, especially a tournament like the U.S. Senior Open,” Bland said. “But as always, I’m committed to LIV. I didn’t even ask the question. I know I have a contract, and I have to honor that.

“Obviously I would love to be there, but I’m also committed, and I love playing LIV. I love playing for the Cleeks. Yeah, I’m happy.”

Bland has finished in the top 24 Lock Zone in each of his first three seasons in LIV Golf and is projected to move into 15th in the standings.



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