Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Logan McAllister and Peter Uihlein (-11) are the leaders of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers as the tournament reaches its halfway point. The score of eleven under par sets the lead heading into the final weekend of the Asian Tour season.
Joaquin Niemann is looking to close the season as he started it, with a victory. It would be the perfect end to a season that began spectacularly for the Chilean, with three wins in the first four months. On the other hand, Cam Smith. The Australian is looking to heal the wounds of a year that has been lacklustre in his career. A win, even if it’s in the last tournament, always helps to sweeten the experience and prepare for the next season with optimism.
Peter Uihlein, leader of the International Series, is also co-leading the tournament leaderboard and would secure the spot for LIV Golf granted by that ranking. John Catlin (-5) will need a final sprint if he wants to reclaim the top position he has held for much of the season. Among the other big names, Tyrrell Hatton (-10) stands out, who is fifth, just one stroke behind the leaders.
Two of our own have made the cut and will continue competing for two more days at Riyadh Golf Club. The Madrid natives Eugenio Chacarra (-8) and Luis Masaveu (-4).
Eugenio Chacarra couldn’t maintain his top ten position on the second day, but he is just one shot away from it and only three from the lead. He aims for everything in a very tight leaderboard and will seek a moving day that keeps his victory aspirations intact.
The Madrid native is still without a team in LIV Golf and is looking for a great result that might catch the attention of the other captains and get him called to their ranks. Who knows if a victory in the final event of the Asian year could open the doors to a contract.
Chacarra delivered a scorecard of 68 strokes (par 71) on Thursday with five birdies and two bogeys. A pity, as both mistakes came in the final stretch when he was within reach of the leaders.
Luis Masaveu continues to show great promise despite his youth. The Spaniard has just turned professional and is competing like a fish in water. Last week he finished among the top ten in the tournament in XX and this week, he has already made the cut, with a two-stroke margin, by the way.
Masaveu replicated the round of 69 strokes he also delivered on Wednesday. In the second round, he presented a flawless scorecard with two birdies and no mistakes. He has only one bogey in 36 holes, even though this Thursday he wasn’t particularly sharp off the tee, although he improved on the first day’s performance where he barely hit five fairways.
On the other side of the coin are Sergio García (+2) and David Puig (-1). The two Spaniards are wrapping up a season that, in both cases, has been more than positive. The man from Borriol has found victory again after winning at Valderrama, narrowly missing the top ten at the US Open and achieving two second places in the Saudi circuit. After regaining a high level and announcing he accepts the sanction from the DP World Tour, the Ryder bells are ringing again. We’ll see if it’s possible to close the circle at Bethpage.
The Catalan David Puig has also shone brightly in 2024. Apart from his victory in Malaysia, his qualification for the Olympic Games and his presence in three Majors under challenging conditions, travelling halfway around the world to achieve it, stand out. A great achievement for the man from La Garriga, who will look to bring that good play to LIV Golf in 2025, perhaps his only blemish this season.
