– The second round of the LIV Golf in Dallas has clarified very few things regarding who will qualify for the Open Championship through the Saudi league ranking. If anything, what can practically be taken for granted is that someone will secure a spot. That place will be filled. There was also the possibility that two already qualified players could finish fourth and fifth, leaving this exemption for Royal Portrush vacant, but right now that seems an impossible scenario.
– Sergio García (+5) maintains his spot in the Open with 18 holes to go. That’s where the good news ends for the Borriol native. He played over par again this Saturday (74) and is now three shots away from the top 24, the line from which points are added for the ranking. In other words, he would need to finish among the top 24 to make things a bit more difficult, or even impossible, for those who want to take his treasure. He still has room if he can produce a great round of golf this Sunday, although the truth is that right now the signs of his game are not heading in that direction. It’s Sergio, and anything can be expected, but he will need to find something from tee to green to overcome a course, the Maridoe Golf Club in Dallas, which is proving very fierce.
– Patrick Reed (-9) is the clear leader of the tournament, and that doesn’t help Sergio either. The San Antonio native is one of those who can surpass him by winning. He only needs to win. That said, Reed would be the lesser evil, as despite surpassing him, he wouldn’t take the spot, as he is already qualified for the Open. The controversial American golfer doesn’t need that extra motivation. He’s content with the idea that he hasn’t yet won in LIV Golf, despite being one of the most consistent players in the league.
Sergio, Puig y otros nueve jugadores se disputan en Dallas una plaza en el Open
– Sergio’s major threats are Abraham Ancer (-6), tied for second with Paul Casey, and David Puig (-5), tied for fourth with Richard Bland, Tyrrell Hatton, and Harold Varner III. Interestingly, both are from his own team. They could undermine the captain. The Mexican only needs to win the tournament, so Reed is almost an ally of García. He has a three-shot difference. Meanwhile, Puig needs to finish at least third on his own. Right now, he’s just one shot away from that goal. He’s the closest.
– The other danger is called Lucas Herbert (+2). He occupies the 24th position, but he needs the least. The Australian could surpass Sergio by finishing twelfth on his own. That goal is three shots away. It’s not easy, but not impossible either. Sebastián Muñoz (+2), who played under par today (70), hasn’t said his last word either. The Colombian is four shots away from the tenth position, which he needs to surpass García.
– In short, Sergio has many fronts open, starting with his own game. It’s true that his rivals for the Open spot don’t have it easy either, but we could say that right now, despite being qualified, he has it a bit darker than before the tournament started.
– Sergio will experience a deep paradox this Sunday. On one hand, he will want Ancer and Puig to play well so that the Fireballs have a chance to even win the team tournament. And if not to win, at least to get into the top three who receive a cheque. On the other hand, he knows that if they play well, he could miss out on the Open. He is the team captain, the one who decides ultimately, along with LIV Golf, who stays or not in the team if his teammates don’t finish among the top 24… It’s one of those rare situations that can occur in the Saudi league and that don’t quite convince many people. You don’t need to know Sergio well to know that his only wish is for his teammates to play as well as possible, but it remains a complicated paradox.
– David Puig could achieve two major goals this Sunday. On one hand, qualification for a new Major. On the other, the possibility of winning his first tournament in LIV. It will be 18 very important holes for him. Today he fought like a warrior. He made five birdies and two bogeys for a total of 69 strokes. However, the best part is how he got out of the most challenging situations. What a way to recover.
– Jon Rahm (-4) didn’t have a good day on the golf course. He made par, but above all, he looked very uncomfortable with his long game. He was rarely on the fairway, and that’s almost torture on this course. In fact, he managed a very good round over par, but his situation in the tournament remains another Groundhog Day. In line with this season. He’s close to the lead, but not enough to say he’s going out with all the chances of achieving victory. In cycling jargon, which the Barrika native loves so much, we could say he’s been hanging on all season. He never quite falls out of the possibilities of winning, and that is very commendable, but he also never quite takes control of the race, and that’s something he doesn’t like.
– Josele Ballester (+8) has once again delivered a card of 76 strokes. He’s far from the lead. Today he managed to get three under par for the day, but problems arose, and mistakes came. Things are not quite working out for the golfer from Castellón at the moment. The good thing is that he’s just getting started.
