Tag: Royal Greens Golf and Country Club

Masters-bound Joaquin Niemann continues impressive run of form with 2024 LIV Golf Jeddah win

Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC claimed their second team title of the new season.

Joaquin Niemann is shaping up to have a big year in 2024.

The 25-year-old Chilean won the Australian Open back in December and carried that momentum into the new year with another win at LIV Golf’s season-opener in Mayakoba, where he began the week with a 59 and ended it with a playoff against Sergio Garcia.

Niemann didn’t need extra holes this week and stayed hot in Saudi Arabia with his second win of the year at LIV Golf Jeddah on Sunday. The Torque GC captain shot a final-round 4-under 66 to finish at 17 under at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, four shots clear of Stinger GC teammates Louis Oosthuizen (67) and Charl Schwartzel (68) at 13 under. Bryson DeChambeau had the low round of the day, a bogey-free 8-under 62 to finish fourth at 12 under. Jon Rahm signed for a 2-under 68 on Sunday to round out the top five at 11 under.

Anthony Kim made his highly-anticipated return to professional golf and finished dead last in 53rd (Matthew Wolff withdrew in the second round). The 38-year-old shot rounds of 76-76-74 to finish 16 over, 11 shots behind 52nd-place Hudson Swafford and 33 behind the winner Niemann.

MORE: Best shots from LIV Golf Jeddah

“Yeah, it feels amazing. It’s a super special moment. It’s always nice when you win. I’m just more happy, I’m more proud the way I’m playing right now, and the way I played out there today,” said Niemann. “It was a tough day. It was windy. I knew there was going to be some low scores, so I’m super happy. I’m proud the way I’m playing. I just want to — on to the next one.”

DeChambeau’s Crushers GC blitzed the field in the final round to claim the team title at 38 under, four shots clear of runner-up Stinger GC and five clear of third-place Smash GC, captained by Brooks Koepka.

The league is back in action next week with LIV Golf Hong Kong, March 8-10, at Hong Kong Golf Club in Sheung Shui.

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Anthony Kim cards second straight 76, Joaquin Niemann leads 2024 LIV Golf Jeddah

No one said it was going to be easy.

No one said it was going to be easy.

For the second straight day, Anthony Kim shot 6-over 76 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in his return to professional golf. The 38-year-old was 5 over after his first four holes (starting on No. 15) before making a birdie at No. 1, his lone circle of the day. Then Kim doubled the third hole before making par on his next 11 to wrap up his second round.

Coming back after more than a decade away was going to have its challenges, but if it’s any consolation, finishing the day with 11 consecutive pars has to be seen as a positive considering how the day started. Nevertheless, Kim is at the bottom of the leaderboard and trailing the next closest competitor, Ian Poulter, by nine shots.

He won’t finish at the bottom of the leaderboard, however, as Matthew Wolff withdrew three holes into the second round because of sickness.

On the flip side of the leaderboard, Joaquin Niemann, who won the LIV Golf opener at Mayakoba last month, continues his stellar play. He shot 6-under 64 on Saturday and takes a two-shot lead over Charl Schwartzel into the final round.

Jason Kokrak, who shot 8 under on Saturday, and Louis Oosthuizen are tied for third at 10 under while a group including first-round leaders Jon Rahm and Adrian Meronk are tied for fifth at 9 under.

Social media has mixed reviews on Anthony Kim’s 76 at LIV Golf Jeddah in professional return

The reviews are mixed.

The Band-Aid has been ripped off.

Anthony Kim made his return to the professional golf world Friday, firing a 6-over 76 in the first round of LIV Golf Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Saudi Arabia. Kim carded only one birdie during the first round and had seven bogeys, and he sits dead last in the 54-man field.

But, is that even a bad score? Kim hasn’t played a competitive round, let alone been seen in the public eye, in nearly 12 years. There was always going to be some competitive rust (see his shank on the fifth hole) and first-tee jitters he had to get over before we saw what he really had left in the tank.

Photos: Anthony Kim at LIV Golf Jeddah

However, as social media often does, there was no shortage of reactions to his debut Friday morning. Here’s what folks had to say about Kim’s return, and there were mixed reviews:

Photos: Check out the best shots from 2024 LIV Golf Jeddah

Here are some of the best photos from 2024 LIV Golf Jeddah.

LIV Golf Jeddah was perhaps one of the most anticipated events in the league’s history.

Anthony Kim made his return to professional golf Friday at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club after more than a decade away from the sport. However, the return went about as expected, and he sits dead last in the field after the opening 18 holes.

Meanwhile, Joaquin Niemann continues his play as one of the hottest players in golf. He shot 6-under 64 on Saturday and has a two-shot lead over Charl Schwartzel with 18 holes to go in Saudi Arabia.

Here are some of the best photos from 2024 LIV Golf Jeddah:

Anthony Kim sits dead last at LIV Golf Jeddah after his return to professional golf

Professional golf is hard.

Professional golf is hard. Especially after taking 12 years off. Just ask Anthony Kim.

The 38-year-old returned to the golfing world this week at LIV Golf Jeddah, and it went about how you would expect it would after not playing in a competitive round for more than a decade.

Kim shot 6-over 76, dead last in the 54-player field at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club. He had seven bogeys, one birdie on the par-4 sixth and plenty of competitive rust to shake off.

Look no further than when he shanked his approach shot on the par-5 fifth hole. Later in the broadcast, Greg Norman said a drone flying overhead caused the mishit.

LIV Golf: Anthony Kim photos | Social media reaction

Kim’s round was the worst of the day by two shots (Bubba Watson shot 4-over 74). He was one of only eight players to shoot over par on the opening day of LIV Golf Jeddah.

“It was a feeling I hadn’t felt before,” Kim said of his first-tee jitters. “I was very excited to go get it done. Fairway looked very narrow, so to be able to hit the fairway was nice. Got off to a good start, and then made an unforced error with my second shot. Just too many unforced errors.

“But really played better than the score, and I know I can clean that up pretty quickly.”

Meanwhile, Adrian Meronk and Jon Rahm are tied on top of the leaderboard after opening 8-under 62s on Friday.

What should you take from Kim’s first round back? Not much. It would’ve been great to see flashes of the player he used to be, but that was more than a decade ago, and he has some rust to shake off.

Whether he can ever get back to that level, it remains to be seen.

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Brooks Koepka takes another shot at Matthew Wolff at LIV Golf Jeddah: ‘There’s only 3 of us on our team’

Safe to say, Wolff won’t be back with Smash GC next season. 

Brooks Koepka isn’t one to mince words.

Koepka, the defending champion at LIV Golf Jeddah, has a three-shot lead over Sergio Garcia and Charles Howell III heading into the final round in King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia. He has talked following both of his rounds this week, but it’s what he said after Friday’s opening 18 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club that is peak Koepka.

Koepka was asked a question about the brotherhood of his Smash GC team, which includes his brother, Chase Koepka, along with Jason Kokrak and Matthew Wolff. However, Koepka’s answer makes it seem he has a different view of his team.

“There’s only three of us on our team,” Koepka said. “I mean, obviously my brother, I’m pretty tight with him, and then — I’ve enjoyed being around Jay for the last — I’ve been pretty close with Jay for maybe the last three years. I’ve enjoyed being around him. He’s a good player, super talented. It’s been fun to be around him, and he’s played pretty solid this year. Yeah, I can’t say anything bad about him.”

Wolff? Not mentioned.

In July, Koepka called out Wolff’s work ethic and attitude. In return, Wolff questioned Koepka’s leadership.

This week, Wolff is T-42 at 1 over. He has only one finish better than 34th since LIV Golf Adelaide in April, a fifth at the Greenbrier. He’s also 25th in the season-long points race, meaning he can be traded or released from his team during the offseason transfer period.

Safe to say, Wolff won’t be back with Smash GC next season.

Photos: 2023 LIV Golf Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club

It’s time for LIV Golf’s regular-season finale.

The LIV Golf League is in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, for this regular-season finale at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

The season-long individual champion will be crowned this week and only three players are in position to win: Cameron Smith, Patrick Reed and Talor Gooch.

After the second round, Brooks Koepka of Smash GC holds at three-shot lead at 12 under over Sergio Garcia (Fireballs GC) and Charles Howell (Crushers GC).

On the team side, Crushers GC holds a three-shot lead at 22 under over Smash GC and Fireballs GC. Torque GC is alone in fourth while RangeGoats GC rounds out the top five.

Check out some of the best photos from 2023 LIV Golf Jeddah below.

Big money, byes and 2024 eligibility all on the line as LIV Golf returns to Saudi Arabia

A lot is on the line at LIV Golf’s regular-season finale in the Kingdom.

The LIV Golf League returns to action this week with the final event of its regular season in Saudi Arabia, where tens of millions of dollars, first-round byes and future eligibility are all on the line.

At the end of LIV Golf Jeddah, once again held at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, the season-long individual champion will be decided and the winner will take home the lucrative $18 million top prize. Dustin Johnson won the individual title a week before last year’s season finale, but this year’s race is much closer with three players in the mix: Cam Smith, Talor Gooch and Bryson DeChambeau.

Here’s a rundown of what’s on the line this week at LIV Golf Jeddah.

It’s a PGA Tour-LIV Golf showdown, this time between Abraham Ancer and Cameron Young at PIF Saudi International

It’s a two-horse race.

It’s a two-horse race, and Abraham Ancer has a slight edge coming around the final corner.

Ancer and Cameron Young have pulled away from the field at the PIF Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Saudi Arabia, with Ancer sitting at 17 under and Young at 15 under, five shots clear of a trio tied for third place. Ancer, who has led after every round, shot 6-under 64 in the third round while Young shot his third consecutive 5-under 65.

Matthew Wolff, Sadom Kaewkanjana and Lucas Herbert are tied for third at 10 under in the Asian Tour event.

Last week, it was Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed battling it out in Dubai. Now, it’s Ancer and Young, the PGA Tour’s 2022 Rookie of the Year, at the venue where LIV Golf’s championship event will be come November.

“Yeah, another very solid round. Happy with no dropped shots,” Ancer said. “That’s always my goal. On a golf course like this where it’s blowing pretty good, I’m really, really happy.

“Not really focused on what everybody else is doing. Just trying to play the same game I’ve been playing the past three days.”

Wolff had the round of the day, shooting 7-under 63 to vault up the leaderboard. However, Young is Ancer’s closest pursuer, and he’s looking forward to Sunday.

“Yeah, I think I’ve played really solidly,” Young said. “Obviously Abe’s playing some really nice golf. So I think tomorrow will be fun.”

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As LIV golfers like Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson miss cut, this 15-year-old is T-6 at PIF Saudi International chasing Abraham Ancer

A 15-year-old made the cut while Cameron Smith didn’t.

Golf is a strange game.

At the PIF Saudi International, an Asian Tour event that’s littered with LIV Golf players and a couple from the PGA Tour, it’s a 15-year-old who’s stealing the show near the top of the leaderboard.

Ratchanon Chantananuwat, from Thailand and ranked 16th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, is 7 under and four shots off the lead heading to the weekend at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Saudi Arabia. Abraham Ancer paces the field for the second straight day, and Cameron Young, the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year for 2021-22, is a shot behind.

“I think one of the reasons I played really well today was — the past two days was I had no expectations,” Chantananuwat said, “and not looking at the leaderboard, and ironically as soon as I started looking at the leaderboard on 8 and when the cameras came, that’s when I started not being as sharp. I think I’m just going to try and shut myself off tomorrow, Sunday, as well, keep my head down.”

2023 PIF Saudi International
Ratchanon Chantananuwat of Thailand tees off from the 5th hole during Day Two of the PIF Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on February 03, 2023 in Al Murooj, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Cameron Smith (2 over), ranked third in the Official World Golf Ranking, is heading home after missing the cut (even), along with other LIV golfers Phil Mickelson (1 over), Bryson DeChambeau (7 over) and Bubba Watson (2 over).

However, Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen are in a tie for third at 8 under, along with Sadom Kaewkanjana, chasing Ancer, who shot 66 on Friday after opening with a 7-under 63.

Young has fired consecutive 5-under 65s to begin.

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