The Range Marbella se convierte en el primer punto de venta oficial en España del iB PUTTER SWEET SPOT

             

 

The Range Marbella, reconocida como una de las principales instalaciones de práctica de golf de Marbella, se complace en anunciar su colaboración con iB PUTTER SWEET SPOT. Conocido por su diseño innovador, este putter está revolucionando el juego en los greens tanto para golfistas profesionales como aficionados.

 El iB PUTTER SWEET SPOT, presentado por primera vez el 3 de octubre de 2023 en el histórico Campo de Golf de Saint Andrews, está causando sensación en el mundo del golf. Sus características clave incluyen mejoras en el enfoque y la concentración durante el golpe, facilitando una alineación precisa, un equilibrio y distribución del peso excepcionales, además de un diseño que fomenta un backswing controlado. 

El programa de innovación de The Range Marbella, que recientemente presentó el revolucionario RoboGolfPro® en exclusiva, y su compromiso de mejorar el juego de los golfistas ofreciendo instalaciones de golf de alta calidad se alinean perfectamente con el concepto innovador de iB PUTTER SWEET SPOT. Como resultado de esta colaboración, los entusiastas del golf en Marbella ahora tienen la oportunidad de experimentar el iB PUTTER SWEET SPOT de primera mano en The Range Marbella.

 "Estamos emocionados de ser el primer punto de venta oficial del iB PUTTER SWEET SPOT en España", dijo Michel Meeus, propietario de The Range Marbella. "Este putter supone un concepto nuevo, y estamos emocionados de ponerlo a disposición de nuestros clientes. Representa un avance significativo en el mundo del equipamiento de golf, y creemos que mejorará la experiencia de los golfistas en el green. Debo decir que todos los jugadores que conozco que han probado este magnífico palo quedan enganchados una vez que lo prueban. Solo puedo animar a todos los golfistas a venir a The Range y probarlo. Estoy seguro de que les sorprenderá." "Estoy muy contento de contar con The Range Marbella como nuestro primer punto de venta en España", dijo Iván Ballesteros, miembro de la PGA de España y diseñador del innovador nuevo putter. 

"El compromiso de The Range de proporcionar unas instalaciones de práctica excelentes, así como tecnología e innovación en la enseñanza de golf, se alinea perfectamente con nuestra visión." Marbella es conocida por su pasión por el golf, y esta colaboración abre emocionantes posibilidades para los golfistas de la región. Iván Ballesteros, que trabajó junto a Seve Ballesteros en múltiples áreas de la industria del golf, aporta una gran experiencia. Sus años de experiencia en el negocio y en el juego han llevado a la creación de este nuevo putter, que ha recibido críticas y comentarios muy positivos de diferentes expertos en equipamiento de golf y de quienes han tenido la oportunidad de probarlo. El iB PUTTER SWEET SPOT es el resultado de una artesanía dedicada e innovadora. 

The Range Marbella ofrece ahora la posibilidad de adquirir este nuevo palo de golf

La Hacienda Links, galardonado como mejor campo de golf español en los World Golf Awards

           

 

El campo de golf Links, ubicado en La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, ha sido nombrado como «Mejor Campo de Golf de España» en la décima edición de los World Golf Awards, que premian la excelencia en el turismo vinculado al golf a nivel mundial. El galardón pone de manifiesto esa excelencia de este complejo, situado en el municipio gaditano de San Roque, tras la inversión realizada recientemente por sus propietarios, la socimi Millenium Hospitality (MHRE), la compañía especializada en el sector hotelero de lujo en España y la importante renovación y mejora del campo liderada por el arquitecto estadounidense Kurtis Bowman.

Esta edición de los World Golf Awards ha reunido a líderes del sector de más de 65 países de África, Asia, Europa, Oriente Medio, Latinoamérica, Norteamérica y Oceanía. Javier Illán, presidente de Millenium Hospitality, ha subrayado que: «Estamos muy orgullosos de recibir este premio, que es un reconocimiento al increíble trabajo realizado por todo el equipo de La Hacienda y por Kurtis Bowman, que ha dirigido uno de los campos más especiales del sur de Europa. Es imposible no enamorarse del campo, de los complejos de green, del bunkering y de las excepcionales vistas que nos rodean».

Este premio internacional se suma a la lista de reconocimientos que atesora en este 2023 el campo Links de La Hacienda, después de que el trazado de par 72 fuera reconocido en el prestigioso concurso anual «Renovación del Año» de la revista Golf Inc.

Javier Jiménez Casquet, director general de La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, encargado de recoger el galardón, señala que: «Este premio es muy importante para nosotros, y reconoce el esfuerzo de todos los profesionales que han participado en la renovación de nuestro campo Links y, por supuesto, a su diseñador Kurtis Bowman, que ha hecho un magnífico trabajo de rediseño, junto con el equipo de Acttua Golf Servicios, y nuestro magnífico personal aquí”

Localizado en el municipio gaditano de San Roque, el campo Links discurre en primera línea de playa con espectaculares vistas al Mediterráneo, Gibraltar y África, y fue uno de los mayores proyectos de renovación de campos que se llevaron a cabo en Europa en 2022.

Como parte del proyecto de transformación para reconfigurar y rediseñar el trazado, Bowman fue el arquitecto elegido para mejorar la disposición de los hoyos, el acondicionamiento, el paisaje y los resultados de sostenibilidad. Los trabajos realizados incluyeron la remodelación de todos los tees, complejos de greens y búnkers, y el rediseño de varios hoyos.

La mejora del campo Links forma parte de un importante proyecto de remodelación que se está llevando a cabo en La Hacienda Links Golf Resort y que ha llevado al complejo a consolidarse como una de las estrellas emergentes del circuito de golf europeo en los últimos 12 meses.

 Además del relanzamiento del campo Links y la renovación de su nueva casa club, el complejo ha emprendido una serie de mejoras en sus instalaciones de golf y ocio, entre las que se incluyen nuevas inversiones en su otro recorrido de 18 hoyos, el campo Heathland.

Otras mejoras llevadas a cabo han sido el lanzamiento de una nueva web, así como paquetes actualizados de alojamiento y golf, así como la apertura de Halfway House “Calma Bar” en mitad del recorrido del campo Links, mientras que La Hacienda lanzará completamente un nuevo hotel Fairmont de 213 habitaciones y villas en 2024, poniendo de manifiesto la ambición del complejo de convertirse en uno de los desarrollos de golf más exclusivos y lujosos de España.

Jiménez Casquet remarca igualmente que «Este último éxito no hubiera sido posible sin la apuesta decidida del grupo Millenium Hospitality, y en especial de nuestro presidente Javier Illán, que ha tenido claro desde el principio el objetivo de posicionar el resort como uno de los mejores de España y Europa. Él siempre vio el potencial del resort, y por eso no sólo se ha renovado nuestro emblemático campo Links, sino que además de un cambio de marca, el próximo verano se inaugurará el proyecto hotelero «Fairmont La Hacienda», un complejo hotelero que, con su oferta de alojamiento de lujo, será sin duda un motor para el turismo de la zona.»

 

LIV GOLF PROMOTIONS TO OFFER OPEN COMPETITION FOR COVETED SPOTS IN 2024 LIV GOLF LEAGUE

 

Three-Day, Four-Round Tournament to Take Place December 8-10 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club   Leading Professionals and Elite Amateurs from Across the Globe Eligible for Entry    Following an exciting LIV Golf season finale that saw captain Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC capture the 2023 LIV Golf Team Championship and celebrated RangeGoats GC’s Talor Gooch earning the 2023 Individual Champion title, the league today announced details on LIV Golf Promotions, presenting an exciting pathway for elite players from across the global golf ecosystem to earn their place on the LIV Golf League in 2024.   The tournament will be staged December 8-10 at the iconic Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates, with four rounds of golf played over three days, including 36 holes on the final day where the top three finishers will be drafted into one of the LIV Golf teams next season. LIV Golf Promotions also offers a prize purse of US $1.5 million.   “In less than two years, through the launch of LIV Golf and our development of The International Series on the Asian Tour, more than 3,500 new opportunities have been created for players to compete and advance their careers at golf’s highest levels. This is bringing progress to the sport on a global scale, and the world is taking notice,” said Greg Norman, LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO. “LIV Golf Promotions establishes an integrated pathway for the best players and up-and-coming talent from all over the globe to join a league that is changing the game. Open competition and meritocracy have always been a part of the fabric of LIV Golf, and following the success of our first full, 14-event season, we’re excited to be able to launch LIV Golf Promotions and offer players from around the world the chance to qualify for 2024.”   Highlighting the global aspect of the LIV Golf League, leading players from all over the world will be eligible to participate. A full breakdown of eligibility criteria, including qualifiers for round one and round two, is below.   LIV Golf Promotions will consist of four rounds of 18-hole stroke play. Starting Friday, December 8, those who finish in the top 20 and ties from round one will advance to Saturday’s round two, where scores will reset, and the field will be joined by a category of players who automatically qualified for day two of competition. The top 20 players following round two will advance to the final day of competition, where scores will reset once more for an intense full-day, 36-hole shootout. At Sunday’s conclusion, the top three finishers will receive highly coveted and lucrative spots in the LIV Golf League for 2024. The top three finishers will also earn prize money of $200,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively. Players finishing fourth to 10th will receive full exemption for all 2024 events on The International Series on the Asian Tour.   LIV Golf Promotions will complete the player roster for the 2024 LIV Golf League, with the three qualifiers from Abu Dhabi Golf Club being joined by the winner of The International Series 2023 Rankings to replace the four relegated players. American Andy Ogletree, who competed in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series in 2023, is poised to secure that automatic berth, having recorded two International Series victories in England and Qatar, and three further top-10 finishes.   Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “This is what our season has been driving towards and is a great showcase of the open player opportunities that LIV Golf is committed to. The innovative format of LIV Golf Promotions will offer drama and excitement and I have no doubt that we will crown some very deserving recipients of their rights in the LIV Golf League 2024.”   Scott Vincent, a member of this season’s Iron Heads GC team thanks to finishing atop last year’s International Series Rankings, finished this season 22nd in the LIV Golf League Individual Rankings to lock in a spot for 2024.   Said Vincent: “That’s the coolest thing about LIV is you get to play with some of the best in the world, and that’s what we grow up hoping for, to challenge ourselves, push ourselves, and try and reach new levels – maybe something we never dreamed of. It’s amazing how it worked out for me. So many things just rolled into place, and the fact that I get to do this again, I can’t be more thrilled.”   In addition to welcoming players from around the world, relegated players, and those without a team commitment for 2024 who finished in the ‘Open Zone’ (25-44th) on the 2023 LIV Golf League standings also have the opportunity to regain their playing rights for 2024.   The tournament will be available globally live and on-demand on LIV Golf Plus, the LIV Golf YouTube channel and broadcast partners around the world, with live coverage on Friday and Saturday from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 – 5:00 p.m. (all times local).  For more information, visit LIVGolf.com/liv-golf-promotions-2023.   LIV GOLF PROMOTIONS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:   Category A: Qualifiers for Round 1 Members of the 2023 Walker and Palmer Cup Teams Winner and runner-up of the following most recent amateur events: U.S. Amateur Championship The Amateur Championship Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (October 29) Latin America Amateur Championship European Amateur Championship NCAA Championship (Individual) Eisenhower Trophy (Individual) Leading 15 available players from within the top 40 WAGR rankings as of November 20, 2023 (excluding players exempt into round 2) Leading 25 available players from within the top 40 on the final International Series 2023 Rankings, (excluding those exempt into round two) Leading 3 available players from inside the top 5 from each of the following professional Tours as of November 20, 2023 Japan Golf Tour (Money Ranking inc. Majors) KPGA Korean Tour (Genesis Point Ranking) Sunshine Tour PGA Tour of Australasia Tournament winners from the Asian Tour in 2023 and Korn Ferry Tour in 2023 Leading 30 available players from within the top 300 in The Universal Golf Rankings (TUGR) as of November 20, 2023 (excluding those who are exempt into Round 2) Event invitations as determined by LIV Golf League   Category B: Byes into Round 2 The following players are exempt from Round 1 and are automatically eligible to participate in Round 2: The top 2 players in the WAGR rankings as of November 20, 2023 Players ranked 2 to 8 on the final International Series 2023 Rankings Leading 5 available players from within the top 30 of the Final 2023 DP World Tour and Korn Ferry Tour Order of Merits / Rankings Winners of PGA TOUR and DP World Tour sanctioned tournaments in the 2022 and 2023 calendar years Ryder Cup and President’s Cup participants from 2019 – 2023 Winners of Major Championships from 2019 – 2023 The leading 15 available players from within the top 150 in The Universal Golf Rankings (TUGR) as of November 20, 2023 Players relegated or without a contract for the following season from the Final 2023 LIV Golf Individual Standings Event invitations as determined by LIV Golf League   LIV Golf is owned and operated by LIV Golf Investments whose vision and mission are centered around making holistic and sustainable investments to enhance the global golf ecosystem and unlock the sport’s untapped worldwide potential.

El golfista polaco Adrian Meronk, nuevo embajador de la marca Loriini

 

 Adrian Meronk emprende una colaboración con Loriini, un fabricante de muebles de lujo para el jardín y el hogar en rápida expansión. El mejor golfista polaco será el embajador de la marca en las redes sociales y también participará en una campaña publicitaria en Polonia y España, donde recientemente ganó el prestigioso torneo Estrella Damm NA Andalucía Masters 2023.

"La reciente victoria en Andalucía confirma que la temporada en curso ha sido muy exitosa para mí. Establecer una asociación con Loriini es otra buena noticia. La visión de esta marca se corresponde perfectamente con los valores del golf. Este juego permite un contacto muy estrecho con la naturaleza. Muchos campos de golf están situados cerca de bosques, mares o lagos. Creo que una marca que tiene en cuenta el medio ambiente en sus actividades es un complemento excelente para este deporte. Esto influyó en mi decisión de establecer una asociación", afirma Adrian Meronk. 

 

              

El acuerdo entre el golfista y Loriini se ha cerrado por un año. Como parte de la cooperación, Adrian Meronk participará en una campaña publicitaria en Polonia, así como en España, donde la empresa polaca está creciendo rápidamente. El destacado golfista polaco participará en reuniones con otros socios de Loriini y se convertirá en la imagen del fabricante en las redes sociales.

Loriini es una marca española de muebles que fabrica sus productos en Polonia; de ahí surge la idea de trabajar con uno de los deportistas polacos más reconocidos. - El golf va bien con un buen diseño y un estilo de vida de calidad. Es un deporte en rápido crecimiento que se asocia con la calidad, el gusto, el lujo. Adrian, su clase y deportividad, es la encarnación de nuestras ambiciones internacionales. Juntos, creemos en las relaciones a largo plazo y en que juntos podemos ayudarnos a crecer a nivel mundial", afirma Łukasz Tobys, Director General de Loriini Furniture SL.

Loriini proporciona soluciones completas y exclusivas para el hogar y el jardín. El fabricante polaco ofrece colecciones "listas para usar", así como un servicio completo de personalización para clientes particulares y promotores.  La sala de exposición de la empresa, con productos de primera calidad, se encuentra en Puerto Banús, un puerto deportivo de lujo situado en Marbella. Se trata de una ubicación que está ganando popularidad entre los inversores de Polonia. El clima de la Costa del Sol es favorable para el golf, que es el deporte más popular allí. De ahí la idea de cooperar con Adrian Meronk, muy reconocido en España.

Adrian Meronk es el mejor golfista de Polonia y uno de los deportistas más populares del país. El polaco cuenta con cuatro victorias en el DP World Tour, una de las series más prestigiosas del mundo. Tras ganar este pasado fin de semana el Estrella Damm NA Andalucía Masters 2023, Adrian Meronk cobró 637.500 dólares y ascendió al tercer puesto de la clasificación general de la serie. El mejor golfista polaco ocupa actualmente el puesto 54 en la clasificación mundial. Su objetivo es competir con los mejores jugadores del mundo en el PGA Tour USA.  

El polaco Adrian Meronk ganó en Sotogrande el EDAM 2023 golf

 

Adrian Meronk (-16) se ha impuesto en el Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters con una vuelta de 66 golpes (-6) y uno de ventaja sobre el alemán Matti Schmid (-15). Es la tercera victoria del polaco en esta temporada y la cuarta en solo quince meses, una gran gesta que le afianza entre los 50 mejores jugadores del mundo y hace historia en el golf polaco.

La última y lluviosa jornada del Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters se presentaba emocionante, abierta, con un buen puñado de jugadores en la pelea por el título. Matti Schmid, joven talento del golf alemán, lo tuvo en su mano hasta que un bogey en el 16 dejaba la puerta abierta a Adrian Meronk. El polaco arrancaba su vuelta con bogeys al 1 y al 3, errores que no le hicieron perder la confianza en su juego y compensaba con dos eagles en el 6 y el 9. El putt era su gran aliado para lograr cuatro birdies más en el 10, 12, 14 y 17 sin más errores.

“No era fácil por el viento, era diferente a otros días, pero conseguí mantenerme pese al mal inicio. Sabía que tenía el juego a punto y he hecho muy buen trabajo con mi caddy para mantenerme concentrado. El eagle del 6 fue un punto de inflexión y a partir de entonces, estuve muy sólido hasta el último putt. En golpe del 9 desde la calle, a unos 110 metros para eagle es el 9 ha sido el mejor del año para mí. Lo ha cambiado todo”, explicaba. 

<img src="https://alsoldelacosta.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/F9EUW9zX0AABXnv.jpeg" alt="" width="679" height="441" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-154878" />

Esta es la quinta victoria profesional de Meronk, jugador que abría para Polonia las puertas del golf internacional al convertirse en el primero de su país con tarjeta del DP World Tour en 2019. Esta temporada conseguía ganar en el ISPS HANDA Australian Open y en el DS Automobiles Italian Open. El triunfo en Sotogrande le coloca tercero en la Carrera a Dubai.

“Mis objetivos para esta temporada eran terminar entre los tres primeros del ranking del DP World Tour y entre los 50 mejores del mundo para jugar los grandes la temporada que viene. Ahora estoy muy bien situado para conseguir la tarjeta del PGA Tour y voy a centrarme en eso”.

Con este triunfo Adrian Meronk se une a la lista de profesionales que han ganado en el Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, como Roberto de Vicenzo (Open de España 1966) y Severiano Ballesteros (Campeonato de España 1987). Curiosamente, ambos ganaron el Open Británico un año después de su triunfo en Sotogrande, toda una inspiración para el polaco. 

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Adrián Otaegui luchaba lo indecible para retener el título, pero una tarjeta de 74 golpes (+2) le relegaba a la novena posición empatado. Pese a todo, se marcha satisfecho de Sotogrande.

“Ha sido un día difícil, peleado, pero no ha salido. He querido seguir haciendo el trabajo como lo que he estado haciendo hasta ahora, pero hemos cometido un par de errores. He estado un poco más dubitativo con el viento y no me he encontrado del todo a gusto en el campo”.

“Al margen de hoy, la semana ha sido muy buena, todo lo que sea seguir sumando puntos y subir en el ranking, es positivo”, remataba el donostiarra.

Por detrás, Adri Arnaus y Jorge Campillo también firmaban una actuación notable en la decimonovena posición con -8.

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DENTRO DE LAS CUERDAS

El consejero de Turismo reivindica el compromiso medioambiental del golf 

El consejero de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, Arturo Bernal, visitaba la última jornada del Estrella Damm N.A. y aprovechaba para reconocer el esfuerzo por la sostenibilidad que realizan los campos de golf. “En Andalucía hay 120 campos y la mayoría riega con agua regenerada, y los que no pueden todavía, lo hacen con agua no potable. Los campos son unos grandes defensores del medio ambiente y quiero agradecerles el esfuerzo”, comentaba.

Arturo Bernal destacaba también el impacto económico que tiene el golf en Andalucía. “El golf atrae un millón de personas durante todo el año con ingresos que superan los 2.000 millones de euros y genera más de 50.000 empleos. El año que viene volveremos a tener el Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters porque estamos muy comprometidos con esta disciplina que ayuda a desestacionalizar el turismo tradicional de vacaciones”.

Adri Arnaus logra un buen ‘bote’ para la causa solidaria

Una de las grandes noticias que traía esta gira de dos torneos por España era la iniciativa benéfica que Adri Arnaus ha llevado a cabo junto con la Fundación Gasol, llamada ‘Birdies for Childrens Health’, con la que el jugador catalán aportaba 100€ por cada birdie conseguido y 250€ por cada eagle.

Salió del Open de España con un acumulado de 1.550€, a los que esta semana ha sumado 2.350€, gracias a un eagle y a los 21 birdies logrados estos cuatro días en el Real Club de Golf Sotogrande. A eso hay que añadirle las aportaciones que han ido haciendo otros jugadores y cualquier persona que haya querido sumarse a esta bonita iniciativa que surgió hace unas semanas en una conversación entre el propio Arnaus y Pau Gasol.

Lágrimas por conseguir un sueño  

El hecho de que este Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters se dispute en estas fechas otoñales, y que sea uno de los últimos torneos del calendario regular, hace que muchos jugadores sufran la tensión por mantener la tarjeta para el siguiente año, y algunos de ellos consiguen el objetivo tras hacer un buen torneo aquí. En esta edición 2023, el que celebraba la consecución de la tarjeta para la próxima temporada era el norteamericano Chase Hanna, que con un cuarto puesto lograba subir 40 posiciones en la Race to Dubai y ganarse los derechos de juego para la que será su tercer año en el circuito.

Tras el último putt, no podía contener las lágrimas de alegría y emoción, algo que recordaba mucho a lo vivido, hace exactamente un año en este mismo torneo, cuando el español Ángel Hidalgo lograba por primera vez su tarjeta para el DP World Tour.

Pese al sinsabor del segundo puesto tras acariciar la victoria, Matti Schmid no se marchaba de Sotogrande con las manos vacías, ya que conseguía asegurar la tarjeta para la próxima temporada.

El Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, torneo del DP World Tour valedero para la Race to Dubai que se celebra gracias a la imprescindible colaboración del Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, está patrocinado por Estrella Damm y la Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, además de estar cofinanciado con fondos europeos y haber sido declarado acontecimiento de excepcional interés público por el Gobierno de España. 

 **Fotos de Marcos Moreno.-

 

 

 

 

CRUSHERS GC WINS 2023 LIV GOLF TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP IN MIAMI

 

Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC opened the 2023 LIV Golf League by lifting a team trophy. On Sunday, they bookended the 14-tournament full season with the League’s biggest prize, the Team Championship. Fueled by Anirban Lahiri’s spectacular bogey-free round, steady play by Charles Howell III and Paul Casey, and a riveting back-nine performance from their captain DeChambeau, Crushers GC won the all-scores-count shootout by two shots over Range Goats GC. Torque GC finished third, while defending champion 4Aces GC settled for fourth. Last year, the Crushers did not reach the Team Championship final, as they were knocked out in the match-play semifinals. But the team started the new season with a bang, winning in Mayakoba on the strength of Howell’s individual victory. DeChambeau found his form in mid-season and won two individual titles, with the Crushers winning again in Chicago. They completed the journey to the top at Trump National Doral, shooting a combined 11 under. “Last year really left a sour taste in our mouth,” DeChambeau said as he celebrated with his teammates on the 18th green of the iconic Blue Monster course. “I can’t be happier with this team of mine. I don’t know what else to say. I’m at a loss of words right now. … These guys are the best.”   Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau celebrates on the 18th green after helping his team clinch the 2023 Team Championship title. (Photo by Jon Ferrey/LIV Golf)   Lahiri was the team’s top performer on Sunday, shooting a 7-under 65 that included consecutive hole-outs at the par-4 seventh (for birdie) and par-5 eighth (for eagle). It was a terrific effort for a player who had come so close to winning an individual title in 2023 with two runner-up finishes and another podium result.   “I had a couple of Sundays where I let myself down,” Lahiri said. “But I wasn’t going to let the team down today.” DeChambeau was 3 under at the turn, then birdied the 10th and 11th holes before suffering his first bogey at the 12th to start his rollercoaster back-nine. He then birdied the 13th from 36 feet, bogeyed the 14th, then birdied the 15th from 35 feet.    But the most dramatic moment came at the drivable par-4 16th, with the Crushers’ lead reduced to one stroke. DeChambeau’s tee shot hit the top of the Birdie Shack grandstand behind the green and finished on the front edge of the 2nd green.   Facing a blind shot from 109 yards, DeChambeau hit a wedge back over the grandstand and onto the 16th green, then made the birdie putt to increase the Crushers’ lead to two.   “My drop zone, I was going to drop in a sidehill lie out of the rough over palm trees. It was just not feasible,” DeChambeau explained. “I got a perfect lie in front of the green on 2 … I was like, it's a 109-shot, whatever, let's go. And hit it to 20 feet and made an incredible putt.”   Crushers GC pose with the trophy after the finals of the LIV Golf Team Championship. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf   But the most dramatic moment came at the drivable par-4 16th, with the Crushers’ lead reduced to one stroke. DeChambeau’s tee shot hit the top of the Birdie Shack grandstand behind the green and finished on the front edge of the 2nd green.   Facing a blind shot from 109 yards, DeChambeau hit a wedge back over the grandstand and onto the 16th green, then made the birdie putt to increase the Crushers’ lead to two.   “My drop zone, I was going to drop in a sidehill lie out of the rough over palm trees. It was just not feasible,” DeChambeau explained. “I got a perfect lie in front of the green on 2 … I was like, it's a 109-shot, whatever, let's go. And hit it to 20 feet and made an incredible putt.”   Moments later, Casey followed with a clutch 6-foot par putt on his final hole while the RangeGoats’ Thomas Pieters missed his from similar distance.   When the RangeGoats’ 2023 Individual Champion Talor Gooch bogeyed the 18th after finding the water with his tee shot, the Crushers had enough cushion to absorb DeChambeau’s bogey and RangeGoats captain Bubba Watson’s birdie on the 18th.   DeChambeau finished with a 5-under 67, while Howell shot even-par 72 and Casey a 73.   “I thought this year would be special,” said Howell. “We started off with a win. Obviously, Baan and Bryson have played phenomenal golf here recently.”    RangeGoats GC Captain Bubba Watson shot a bogey-free 67 to help his team clinch the runner-up position on Sunday. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf) Although the RangeGoats came up short, Watson – who shot a bogey-free 67 – was proud of his team’s effort.   “The RangeGoats came out of nowhere,” Watson said. “We played great. We’ve got to improve a little bit. But gosh, finished second for the year. What a great place.”   As for DeChambeau, winning the Team Championship helps to make up for the disappointment in the regular-season finale in Jeddah when he came up short of capturing the Individual Champion title. “Any time you get a win with a team, I'd say honestly that's more important than individual stuff,” DeChambeau said. “Look, majors are great but there's a team behind you there. I've got a team, my own team. “But having the Crushers be front and center of the first inaugural full season just means the world. We are part of history, and I couldn't be more proud of these guys and definitely takes the sting out of last week. But the team is what it's all about, and I couldn't be more proud.”   TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS   For Sunday’s Finals, all 48 players among the 12 teams competed in one round of stroke play, with all four players’ scores counting toward their team’s score. The four semifinal winners competed for places 1-4, with the teams defeated in the semifinals competing for places 5-8. The teams defeated in Friday’s quarterfinals competed for places 9-12. Of the prize money earned by each team, 60% goes to the team, with 10% going to each of the four participating players.    TIER 1   1. CRUSHERS GC (-11). Anirban Lahiri 65, Bryson DeChambeau 67, Charles Howell III 72, Paul Casey 73. Prize money: $14,000,000   2. RANGEGOATS GC (-9). Bubba Watson 67, Talor Gooch 70, Thomas Pieters 70, Harold Varner III 72. Prize money: $8,000,000   3. TORQUE GC (-6). Joaquin Niemann 66, David Puig 71, Sebastián Muñoz 72, Mito Pereira 73. Prize money: $6,000,000   4. 4ACES GC (E). Peter Uihlein 69, Patrick Reed 71, Pat Perez 73, Dustin Johnson 75. Prize money: $4,000,000   TIER 2   5. STINGER GC (-7). Dean Burmester 67, Branden Grace 67, Charl Schwartzel 73, Louis Oosthuizen 74. Prize money: $3,250,000   6. FIREBALLS GC (-4). Carlos Ortiz 64, Eugenio Chacarra 73, Sergio Garcia 73, Abraham Ancer 74. Prize money: $3,000,000   7. CLEEKS GC (+4). Martin Kaymer 72, Bernd Wiesberger 72, Richard Bland 74, Graeme McDowell 74. Prize money: $2,750,000   8. HYFLYERS GC (+5). Cameron Tringale 70, Brendan Steele 71, Phil Mickelson 72, James Piot 80. Prize money: $2,500,000   TIER 3   9. RIPPER GC (-5). Matt Jones 66, Jediah Morgan 71, Marc Leishman 73, Cameron Smith 73. Prize money: $2,000,000   10. SMASH GC (E). Jason Kokrak 69, Brooks Koepka 70, Matthew Wolff 72, Chase Koepka 77. Prize money: $1,750,000   11. MAJESTICKS GC (+4). Henrik Stenson 69, Ian Poulter 72, Lee Westwood 74, Sam Horsfield 77. Prize money: $1,500,000   12. IRON HEADS GC (+5). Scott Vincent 70, Danny Lee 71, Kevin Na 73, Sihwan Kim 79. Prize money: $1,250,000

LIV GOLF JEDDAH: GOOCH CROWNED INDIVIDUAL CHAMPION; KOEPKA REPEATS IN PLAYOFF; FIREBALLS WIN TEAM TITLE

 

Talor Gooch of RangeGoats GC celebrates after winning the 2023 LIV Golf Individual Champion title (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf)       Brooks Koepka won another playoff, and Fireballs GC enjoyed another team victory. But on the final day of the 2023 LIV Golf League regular season, Talor Gooch had the biggest reason to celebrate.   The RangeGoats GC star shot an 8-under 62 Sunday at LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN to secure the Individual Champion crown. It’s the first full-season title Gooch as ever won in his golf career, and it earns him an $18 million bonus.   “It’s awesome,” said Gooch, who won a league-best three times this season. “From January 1st until now, that’s what we’ve been working for. So to get here and be the champion, man, I’m proud. I’m honored. And I’m excited.   “It was a day that you dream of – for the score and the moment. It was a special, special day.”   It was a special day for many LIV golfers at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.   Smash GC captain Brooks Koepka celebrates winning the Individual Champion title of LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club (Photo by Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf)   Koepka, the Smash GC captain, successfully defended his Jeddah title and in similar fashion to last year – by winning an extended playoff. Last year, it was a three-hole playoff against Peter Uihlein; this time, it took him two holes to subdue Gooch, who had already guaranteed his season-long title no matter the playoff’s outcome.   Koepka forced the playoff with a birdie at the par-5 18th to close out his 2-under 68 in the final round, leaving him tied with Gooch at 14 under for the tournament. He then birdied the 18th twice in the playoff.   “It’s been great. It’s been fantastic,” said Koepka about his successful title defense. “It’s always a good feeling. Super proud of the way I played today.”   By winning the tournament, Koepka also moved into third place in the Individual standings, overtaking Bryson DeChambeau, who finished at 8 under after an even-par 70, leaving him 16th on the points leaderboard. DeChambeau needed to finish 13th or better to hold off Koepka.   “I really didn’t think I had a chance,” said Koepka, who earns a $4 million bonus for third. “I don’t know how many points Bryson had to have or to get, but I felt like I had to win, and I did my part. … Super fortunate to kind of squeak in there.” Ripper GC Captain Cameron Smith, who entered the week atop the Individual points standings, finished at 6 under after his final-round 66. That left him 25th and with no points for the week. He finished with 170 points to Gooch’s 192.   Seeds for next week’s season-ending Team Championship in Miami were also finalized, with 4Aces GC, Crushers GC, Torque GC and RangeGoats GC securing byes for Friday’s Quarterfinals.   Fireballs GC's Abraham Ancer, Eugenio Chacarra, Captain Sergio Garcia, Carlos Ortiz and their caddies celebrate the team victory for LIV Golf Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club (Photo by Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf)   Fireballs Captain Sergio Garcia challenged for the individual title most of the day before finishing two strokes shy and in a three-way tie for third with Scott Vincent and Harold Varner III. Still, he found the top of the podium with his team, as Abraham Ancer (64), Carlos Ortiz (64) and Eugenio Chacarra (67) supplied a counting score of 15 under to finish at 34 under for the week. It’s their second win of the season and third overall.   The Fireballs were already eliminated from bye consideration, but with a second-place in Chicago and a win in Jeddah in their last two starts, they will enter the Team Championship with plenty of momentum.   “We know how much Miami means, so hopefully we’ll be able to keep that going and make it fun.”   The Iron Heads’ Vincent also had a special week, as he moved into the top-24 Lock Zone and secured his spot for next year’s LIV Golf League. Vincent followed his 62 on Saturday with a 66 on Sunday to finish at 12 under. After the tiebreakers, he claimed fourth in the points leaderboard, giving him enough points to move into 22nd in the season-long standings.   “It’s been incredible,” said Vincent. “I can’t tell you how many high fives I just received from so many different people.”   Scott Vincent of Iron Heads GC secured his spot in the 2024 LIV Golf League with a fourth-place finish this week in Jeddah (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf)   TEAM COUNTING SCORES   Here are the standings and counting scores for Sunday’s final round of the team competition at LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN. The three best scores from each team count in every round for their total team score. The team with the lowest cumulative score after three rounds wins the team title. In addition, the season standings after Jeddah determine seeds for next week’s Team Championship in Miami.   1. FIREBALLS GC (-34): Abraham Ancer 64, Carlos Ortiz 64, Eugenio Chacarra 67 (Rd. 3 score: -15)   2. RANGEGOATS GC (-31): Talor Gooch 62, Harold Varner III 65, Thomas Pieters 67 (Rd. 3 score: -16)   3. CLEEKS GC (-29): Graeme McDowell 63, Bernd Wiesberger 63, Richard Bland 66 (Rd. 3 score: -18)   4. TORQUE GC (-28): Mito Pereira 66, David Puig 66, Joaquin Niemann 67 (Rd. 3 score: -11)   5. CRUSHERS GC (-28): Paul Casey 66, Charles Howell III 68, Bryson DeChambeau 70 (Rd. 3 score: -6)   6. 4ACES GC (-26): Peter Uihlein 64, Dustin Johnson 65, Patrick Reed 66 (Rd. 3 score: -15)   7. SMASH GC (-26): Matthew Wolff 67, Jason Kokrak 68, Brooks Koepka 68 (Rd. 3 score: -7)   8. IRON HEADS GC (-23): Kevin Na 63, Scott Vincent 66, Danny Lee 69 (Rd. 3 score: 12)   9. STINGER GC (-22): Charl Schwartzel 66, Dean Burmester 67, Branden Grace 67 (Rd. 3 score: -10)   10. HYFLYERS GC (-22): Cameron Tringale 66, Phil Mickelson 68, Brendan Steele 68 (Rd. 3 score: -8)   11. RIPPER GC (-21): Cameron Smith 66, Marc Leishman 68, Matt Jones 68 (Rd. 3 score: -8)   12. MAJESTICKS GC (-15): Lee Westwood 63, Henrik Stenson 66, Ian Poulter 68 (Rd. 3 score: -13)   Talor Gooch of RangeGoats GC is congratulated by teammates, Captain Bubba Watson and Harold Varner III after winning the 2023 LIV Golf Individual Championship (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf)   TEAM SEEDS FINALIZED FOR MIAMI – 4Aces GC will begin the title defense of its Team Championship in Miami as the No. 1 seed for the second consecutive year.   The season-long team standings were finalized after LIV Golf Jeddah, with the 4Aces atop the list at 192 points. Crushers GC is second with 186 points, Torque GC third at 183 points and RangeGoats GC at 179 points.   Those four teams will receive byes in Friday’s Quarterfinals, with the higher seeds – starting with the 4Aces – selecting their opponent for Saturday’s Semifinals.   The RangeGoats started the week in Jeddah ranked fifth in the standings but jumped past Stinger GC into fourth place. The RangeGoats finished second on the tournament leaderboard behind the winning Fireballs GC.   “It’s awesome,” said RangeGoats Captain Bubba Watson. “Just an extra day for us to practice but also not have that mental grueling test the day before, right? That means whatever team we’re playing the next day has already had to go through stress and mental grind. So it’s good for us.”   Stinger GC fell to fifth and will get the first pick of opponents during Wednesday’s selection process at Trump National Doral.   Final order of seeds for the Team Championship:   1. 4ACES GC 2. CRUSHERS GC 3. TORQUE GC 4. RANGEGOATS GC 5. STINGER GC 6. FIREBALLS GC 7. RIPPER GC 8. SMASH GC 9. HYFLYERS GC 10. CLEEKS GC 11. MAJESTICKS GC 12. IRON HEADS GC   BROOKS WINS FOR FIRST TIME AS A FATHER: Brooks Koepka and his wife Jena Sims recently welcomed the birth of their first child, Crew. Sunday’s win was Koepka’s first as a dad.   “I’m sure Jena and Crew are watching,” Koepka said. “He won’t remember that one, but at least I’ve got something to say, that I did win while he was here.”   GOOCH OVERCOMES CASE OF NERVES: Having given himself an opportunity to win the Individual Champion title, Talor Gooch said he was “as nervous as could be” leading up to Sunday’s final round.   But his opening tee shot found the fairway, his approach found the green, and he drained a 30-foot birdie putt to quickly settle in.   “It was a very, very stressful day, very exciting day,” said Gooch, who needed just 22 putts Sunday in a bogey-free round highlighted by a string of three consecutive birdies down the stretch. “My caddie (Malcolm Baker) and I just did a great job of staying in the moment and just executing.” LOCKED IN FOR 2024 – The top 24 players in the final Individual standings secured their spots for next year’s 2024 LIV Golf League. Here are the top 24:   1. Talor Gooch, RangeGoats GC 2. Cameron Smith, Ripper GC Captain 3. Brooks Koepka, Smash GC Captain 4. Bryson DeChambeau, Crushers GC Captain 5. Dustin Johnson, 4Aces GC Captain 6. Patrick Reed, 4Aces GC 7. Harold Varner III, RangeGoats GC 8. Mito Pereira, Torque GC 9. Branden Grace, Stinger GC 10. Charles Howell III, Crushers GC 11. Sebastián Muñoz, Torque GC 12. Peter Uihlein, 4Aces GC 13. Anirban Lahiri, Crushers GC 14. Dean Burmester, Stinger GC 15. Carlos Ortiz, Fireballs GC 16. Cameron Tringale, HyFlyers GC 17. Sergio Garcia, Fireballs GC Captain 18. Marc Leishman, Ripper GC 19. Brendan Steele, HyFlyers GC 20. Richard Bland, Cleeks GC 21. Joaquin Niemann, Torque GC Captain 22. Scott Vincent, Iron Heads GC 23. Jason Kokrak, Smash GC 24. Louis Oosthuizen, Stinger GC Captain   Players who finished 25th through 44th in points are in the Open Zone and eligible to re-sign with their teams or any other team if interested. WIESBERGER AVOIDS RELEGATION: Cleeks GC’s Bernd Wiesberger started the week on the Open Zone bubble at 44 and was in danger of falling into the Drop Zone and facing relegation.   With the pressure on, Wiesberger shot a 7-under 63 to finish 11th on the point leaderboard at 8 under. It’s his best result of the season and allowed him to stay in the Open Zone, where he can become a free agent and re-sign with Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks or any other interested team.   “Hopefully my performance today, I gave a little bit of push for (Kaymer) or the league for possibly having an invite next year,” Wiesberger. “I didn’t do enough on my own to secure next year but I still think I can play plenty of rounds like I did today.”   The four full-time non-captains who finished in the Drop Zone are Ripper GC’s Jediah Morgan, HyFlyers GC’s James Piot, Smash GC’s Chase Koepka and Iron Heads GC’s Sihwan Kim. They will have the opportunity to play their way back into the League as the Promotions tournament later this year.   RD. 3 STAT LEADERS   Driving distance – Mito Pereira, 336.1-yard average   Longest drive – Sihwan Kim, 388.3 yards (9th hole)   Driving accuracy – Henrik Stenson, 100% (14 of 14)   Greens in regulation – Brooks Koepka, Scott Vincent, Charles Howell III, Charl Schwartzel, Paul Casey, Cameron Smith, Matt Jones, Marc Leishman, Henrik Stenson, Sam Horsfield, 89% (16 of 18)   Scrambling – Talor Gooch (7 of 7), Abraham Ancer (5 of 5), Harold Varner III (4 of 4), Bernd Wiesberger (4 of 4), Eugenio Chacarra (4 of 4), Lee Westwood (3 of 3), Graeme McDowell (3 of 3), Kevin Na (3 of 3), Henrik Stenson (2 of 2), Charl Schwartzel (2 of 2), Paul Casey (2 of 2), 100%   Fewest putts – Talor Gooch, 22 putts   Most birdies – Talor Gooch, Graeme McDowell, 8   Bogey-free rounds – Talor Gooch 62, Kevin Na 63, Lee Westwood 63, Bernd Wiesberger 63, Abraham Ancer 64, Harold Varner III 65, Charl Schwartzel 66, Henrik Stenson 66, Eugenio Chacarra 67