Sergio García (-18) has achieved an undeniable victory in the LIV Golf tournament in Hong Kong. The golfer from Borriol, who started as co-leader in the final round played this Sunday at the Hong Kong Golf Club, delivered a true masterclass to secure his second title in the Saudi tour and demonstrate that, just over a month before the Masters and in a Ryder year, he is back to his best form. He is the fourth Spaniard after Chema Olazábal, José Manuel Lara, and Miguel Ángel Jiménez (four wins) to win at this same venue, the ‘Chinese Valderrama‘, a course with a Spanish flavour.
Everything started for the Castellon native on the par-five 3rd hole, where by reaching the green in two, he sank an impressive eagle putt from nearly 14 metres. A ‘purazo’ that put him alone at the top of the leaderboard, with a two-shot advantage, while his playing partners and main initial rivals, Paul Casey (-12) and Peter Uihlein (-11), were unable to get their respective rounds going.
.@TheSergioGarcia slams the eagle home from way downtown 😮💨
He takes the solo lead on 13-under with 14 to play 🔥
Tune in NOW on @fs1 📺
Stream on the LIV Golf app 📲#LIVGolfHongKong @fireballsgc_ pic.twitter.com/m9Vq2mzIa5
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) March 9, 2025
Sergio played really well from tee to green in the early holes of his round, but beyond that monumental eagle, he didn’t manage to create close birdie opportunities. He had several attempts with putts between five and six metres, well struck, but they fell short. Until on the par-three 8th, he began his display with a great shot from the tee to leave himself a two-metre birdie putt that he didn’t miss.
On the 9th, the most difficult hole on the course, having to shape the ball to approach through the tree branches after a great drive to the fairway was no problem for the Spaniard, who created another great birdie chance that he holed again. Same plan on the 10th, where with his strategy of not going for the green from the tee, he started to leave a significant distance over his pursuers with his third consecutive birdie. And on the 11th, he capped it off by sinking a nearly four-metre putt to lead by five strokes.
.@TheSergioGarcia is not letting up…😤
After 1 eagle and 4 birdies he gives himself a 5 shot lead heading into the last 7 holes 💪
Tune in NOW on @fs1 📺
Stream on the LIV Golf app 📲#LIVGolfHongKong @fireballsgc_ pic.twitter.com/kGVCLy0Jwn
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) March 9, 2025
Casey, who hadn’t made a single bogey all week, made two in the first nine and didn’t get his first birdie until the 11th hole. It was already too late. Meanwhile, Uihlein, who had luck on his side yesterday and even today with several incredible bounces, fell behind as soon as luck turned against him for the first time, with a bad bounce on the 12th that resulted in a double bogey. Meanwhile, other players gradually entered the fray, such as Sebatián Muñoz (-11), Phil Mickelson (-14), Lucas Herbert (-13), and Dean Burmester(-15).
Jon Rahm (-11), after an exceptional start with three birdies in the first six holes, putting brilliantly from mid-range, saw his round gradually cool down, preventing him from reaching the decisive moment with chances. He missed too much with the putter, but still managed to maintain his record of always finishing in the top 10 in LIV. Meanwhile, David Puig (-8) didn’t achieve the necessary birdie production to attempt a surprise, but he did leave one of the shots of the week, reaching the green with the driver from the tee on the par-four 10th to finish with a sensational eagle.
Sergio didn’t care much about not making birdie on the second par-five of the course, on the 13th, after a bad drive; that his long putt on the 14th grazed the hole and didn’t drop; or that his tee shot on the 15th went to the adjacent fairway, forcing him to recover over the trees. There was no one who could stop him this Sunday, and on the par-four 16th, he neutralised any attempt by Burmester, a dangerous rival, and Mickelson, in his best tournament in LIV. The Spaniard sank a putt of over five metres for birdie, turning his last two holes of the day into a triumphant stroll.
With a final round of 63 bogey-free strokes, the man from Borriol sealed his most undeniable victory since the Andalucía Valderrama Masters in 2018, with a three-shot advantage, to pocket four million dollars from the individual tournament, make a significant leap in the overall circuit standings, which this year awards spots in the US Open and the Open Championship, warm up for the Masters… and knock on Luke Donald‘s door with an eye on Bethpage Black.
As if Sergio‘s joy this Sunday wasn’t enough, which he sealed with a hug with his caddie, who had already won this tournament a year ago with Ancer, his team, the Fireballs (-37), won by one stroke in the team competition. It wasn’t the best day for Luis Masaveu (-2), but he holed a crucial birdie putt on his last hole today. Just like the two putts with which the man from Borriol closed his round, after leaving his ball on the 18th green, but nearly 20 metres from the flag. A second consecutive victory for the team of García, Puig, Masaveu, and Ancer with one stroke over the South African Stinger (-36) and three over the Ripper (-34) and the HyFlyers (-34).
