Richard T Lee has led from start to finish to become the first Canadian-born to join LIV Golf.

Lee was never challenged posting a closing round TBA and earning the top spot in the LIV Promotions tournament by TBA shots of the Black Diamond Ranch course in Florida.

While it was only the closing two rounds that counted, Lee was easily the best player over the four rounds.

He led the first round thanks to a sizzling six-under 64 ahead of a second day 66 that saw him lying second.  Lee then emerged from Saturday’s official first round posting another 64 to be leading by two shots, ahead of walzing his way to closing five-under 65 to win the 36-hole qualifier by five shots with a 11-under.

History-making LIV victory with Richard T Lee the first Canadian-born player to join the LIV Golf ranks. Image LIV Golf

All up over the four rounds, Lee posted 21 birdies and just two bogeys at the 10th hole on Friday and the 17th on Sunday, for what would have been a 19-under par tally,

Lee’s Sunday round included birdies at fourth, sixth, seventh and ninth holes that handed him a five-shot lead heading into the closing nine holes.

And Lee was not about to tone down picking-up further birdies at the 15th and 16th holes.

The 35-year-old Lee has won six times in his pro career, three times on the Asian Tour, four wins on the Korean Tour.

Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren earned LIV Golf membership posting a 64 to finish second at six-under before the huge delight for the Florida fans as local hero Anthony Kim, despite a closing bogey, posted a round of 69 to finish third at five-under and the assurance of rejoinging his LIV ranks.

“It feels great and I’m not here to prove everybody wrong, as I’m here to prove my golf, right”, said Kim.

GREAT NEWS FOR ANTHONY KIM ….

Kim brilliantly wins @livgolf_league reinstatment finishing third #LIVGolfPromotions

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“I’ve worked so hard, and this little girl here, is one of the reasons why, so to my wife with her support. I have had so much support behind me.

“All year, the last two years since I’ve been back.  I’m just so grateful that I am back on the stage.

“This result is going to give me a lot of confidence heading into the new season. I didn’t have it today. I didn’t feel great with my swing. I putted okay but didn’t make a ton.  So, I feel as though my game is trending in the right direction, so that with my bad rounds I can still hang in there and be around par.

“This is just the first step but I am glad I earned my spot so everybody can quit talking shit about me, and I will be back soon and back winning golf tournaments”.

Kim, 41, has been a ‘wildcard’ LIV member for the past two seasons but a poor 2025 saw him dropped by LIV.

The American’s presence in the LIV ranks has been a heart-warming redemption for the three-time PGA Tour winner who was ranked sixth in the world in his early 20s, and who was a part of the victorious 2008 United States team that wrestled the Ryder Cup back from European hands.

Hellgren could no doubt take compatriot Henrik Stenson’s place as the lone Swede in the LIV Golf line-up after the 35-year-old, and last year’s Saudi Open winner on the Asian Tour, birdied four his closing six holes in a round of 64 to finish second to Lee on six-under.

Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren finishing runner-up in the LIV Promotions. Image LIV Golf

The Thai-based Hellgren went to college at Florida State University and played on the same golf team as then fellow amateurs Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger.

A pre-event favourite in Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent failed to regain LIV status, posting scores of 70 and 67 to finish T4th at three-under.

Disappointment for popular Thai golfer Jazz Janewattananond who had muscled his way into a third through seven holes but produced a poor closing effort to eventually ..

As well, Aussie Mat Jones failed to regain his place in the all-Aussie Ripper GC team, posting scores of 70 and 68 for a two-under tally.

Lee was born in Toronto, Canada. His father, Jeff, played professional tournament golf in South Korea and is now a teaching professional.

Lee currently lives in Chandler, Arizona.

In 2006, at the age of 15, Lee was the runner-up to Philip Francis at the U.S. Junior Amateur. The result gave him an exemption to sectional qualifying for the U.S. Open the following year.

Lee finished as runner-up at his qualifier to earn entry to the 2007 U.S. Open, becoming the second youngest golfer in the 107-year history of the tournament. However, he did not finish the tournament as he injured his wrist in the second round. He finished at +20, and turned professional at the conclusion of the tournament.

His only other appearance in the majors was missing the halfway cut in the 2021 Open Championship.

In 2011, Lee played on the Nationwide Tour but could not retain his card. In 2013, he finished runner-up at qualifying school for both the Asian Tour and the OneAsia Tour, signalling his intention to play full-time on that continent.

In March 2014, Lee won for the first time as a professional on the Asian Tour at the Solaire Open with a one shot victory, having been a runner-up the previous year.

In September 2017 he had his second win on the Asian Tour, the Shinhan Donghae Open, an event co-sanctioned with the Korean Tour. A final round 66 gave him a one stroke victory over Gavin Green. In April 2019 Lee won again on the Korean Tour, in the DB Insurance Promy Open.

• Thanks to Wikipedia.

FINAL SCORES 

Final day leading scores with thanks @LIVGOLF