Tournament leader Joaquín Niemann of Torque GC in action during the third round of LIV Golf New York at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Saturday. Image courtesy LIV Golf.
From a Correspondent
Bedminster, New Jersey: JoaquinNiemann’s dominant week hit its first speed bump, but he remained well placed to secure his second LIV Golf title of the season.
The LIV Golf New York 36-hole leader opened on Saturday with a double bogey on the par-4 first, the first blemish on his card all week, but he battled back throughout the day en route to a 1 under par 70.
The Chilean heads into the final round at 14 under, maintaining the outright lead at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
Niemann admitted the start stung but said he was able to reset quickly. “Obviously not the best tee shot coming out to start the round, but it was kind of good to just be back into that moment,” the 27-year-old said.
“It was a little bit frustrating. I think I was able to handle it pretty good.”
“It’s not like it’s just me playing,” added the league’s youngest captain. “… They’re going to try to chase me, and I’m going to try to play the best I can to just run away.”
A weather delay didn’t make things easier either.
“It was definitely more tricky. Coming out of a little rain delay, a 40-minute delay, made a good birdie there, but pretty tricky tee shot after that one,” he said.
Asked how he manages the nerves of leading into a final round, Niemann kept it simple: “Just be grateful. I feel like if I just remember the good things that I have around me and the people around me, it’s just easy to go back to sleep. I have a good life.”
Staying close
Harold Varner IIImade sure Niemann felt the heat, catching fire down the stretch for a 6 under 65 that pulled him within two shots at 12 under.
It’s the continuation of a hot run for Varner, who has quietly been one of the most consistent players in the field all week.
“I’ve been playing well the last couple few tournaments and I’ve been working hard, and I feel like things are just going my way, and you want to just keep it stacking and attacking, and I feel like I’m doing that as well,” Varner said.
Lee Westwoodstayed within striking distance as well, backing up Friday’s 65 with a 2 under 69 to sit third at 10- under. The former world no.1 is looking to become the oldest player to win on any major professional golf tour at 53 years old.
Sam Snead was 52 years and 10 months old when he won in Greensboro on the PGA Tour in 1965. Miguel Angel Jimenez was 50 when he won the Spanish Open on the DP World Tour. And Mukesh Kumar was 51 when he won in India on the Asian Tour in 2016.
“I’m just pleased to be in good enough shape, my game still be at an elite level where I can compete with these guys that are some of the best in the world,” Westwood said.
“I’m very competitive, and I always just expect to give my best and try 100%,” added the oldest captain in the field.
“That’s the only expectation I put on myself. If it’s good enough, it’s good enough. I’ve learned to accept when it’s not good enough anymore, and a lot of that is down to do with I’m just getting a bit older.
No expectations
“Quite nice to go out there with no real goals or expectations, just play. That’s what getting in the zone is, right? Just playing.”
Tom McKibbin rounded out the top four at 7 under after a 1 under 70, while Sergio Garciacooled off slightly with a 1 over 72 to sit fifth at 6 under.
Byeong Hun An, Thomas Pietersand Richard Blandwere tied for sixth at 5 under, with Bland’s third-round 71 following up his blistering 64 on Friday.
Scott Vincentwas by himself in ninth at 4 under, and a trio of Lucas Herbert, Paul Casey and Younghan Songwere tied for 10th at 3 under.
In the team competition, Torque GCheld onto the top spot at 1 under despite a tough Saturday, with Sebastian Muñoz (76) and Carlos Ortiz (76) both stumbling behind Niemann’s 70.
Legion XIIImoved into second at 1-over, powered by Caleb Surratt’s 68 and McKibbin’s continued strong week. Tyrrell Hatton also chipped in with a 69, while captain Jon Rahm shot a 2-over 73.
The Legion XIII captain was tied for 32nd after his 2 over 73 left him at 3 over for the tournament. His projected total for the season after this week would be 946.74 points.
The only player who can catch him, Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau, was 41st at 7 over after his third-round 70. He’s projected to increase his points total to 725.80 points.
DeChambeau must find a way to move within 200 points of Rahm after Sunday in order to stay in the race going into the regular-season finale at LIV Golf Indianapolis. An individual tournament win is worth 200 points.
Westwood’s Majesticks GC sit third at 5 over, with Westwood’s individual 69 keeping the English team in the mix. (courtesy LIV Golf)
Leaderboards
Individual Top 10
1. (-14) – Joaquin Niemann, Torque (64-65-70)
2. (-12) – Harold Varner, OKGC (69-67-65)
3. (-10) – Lee Westwood, Majesticks (69-65-69)
4. (-7) – Tom McKibbin, Legion XIII (70-66-70)
5. (-6) – Sergio Garcia, Fireballs (70-65-72)
T6 (-5) – Byeong Hun An, Korean (72-68-68); Thomas Pieters, 4Aces (68-70-70); Richard Bland, Cleeks (73-64-71)
9. (-4) – Scott Vincent, HyFlyers (69-68-72)
T10 (-3) – Lucas Herbert, Ripper (66-71-73); Paul Casey, Crushers (70-67-73); Younghan Song, Korean (72-70-68)
Team Top 3
1. (-1) – Torque GC (Niemann 64-65-70, Ancer 71-72-70, Ortiz 71-71-76, Munoz 74-71-76)
2. (+1) – Legion XIII (Rahm 72-71-73, Hatton 73-76-69, McKibbin 70-66-70, Surratt 76-69-68)
3. (+5) – Majesticks GC (Poulter 66-72-74, Westwood 69-65-69, Canter 73-70-72, Horsfield 77-75-75)
Day 3 stats
Driving Distance: Luis Masaveu, 321.6-yard avg.
Longest Drive: Luis Masaveu, 346.0 yards (18th hole). Official measured drives taken only on holes 15 and 18.
Driving Accuracy: Abraham Ancer, 100% (14 of 14)
Greens in Regulation:Byeong Hun An, Younghan Song, Abraham Ancer, Victor Perez, Martin Vorster, 77.78% (14 of 18)
Scrambling: Richard Bland (6 of 6), Harold Varner III (5 of 5), Abraham Ancer (4 of 4), 100%
Fewest Putts: Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel, 25
Bogey-free rounds: Harold Varner III (65)
Also read: Red-hot Neimann, Torque maintain leads at LIV Golf New York
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