LIV Golf’s ‘3 stroke win’ on the first stage in the US mainland, showing off ‘South African corps power’ following the opening match Champ Schwarzel
Brandon Grace celebrates with the trophy following winning the second leg of the LIV Golf. Portland (USA)=Getty images/Multibits
[아시아경제 김현준 골프전문기자] “South African Legion Power.”
Brandon Grace scored a 7-under par on the final day of the second round of the LIV Golf Invitational held at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course (par 72) in Portland, Oregon, USA on the 3rd (Korean time) on the 3rd (Korean time) to win the championship (13-under-par 203). The prize money for the winner is 4 million dollars (5.119 billion won). In the team event that he participated in as ‘Team Stinger’ with Charles Schwarzel, Louis Usthisen, and Henni Du Plessis (above South Africa), he placed second (16 under par 200).
Grace started out in 3rd place by 2 strokes and showed off her back spirit by sweeping 8 birdies (1 bogey). His spurts at the last minute stood out, including three consecutive birdies on holes 15-17. The champion of the opening game held at Centurion Golf Course in London, England on the 12th of last month is Schwarzel. Indeed, it is the atmosphere of the ‘South African Corps’ as a signboard for LIV golf. With only 48 people on the pitch, they play 3 rounds without a ‘cut-off’, and they create 12 draft-style teams and even have a team match.
LIV Golf, led by Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (PIF), is a ‘money feast’ with a total prize money of 25 million dollars (32.45 billion won), including $ 20 million in individual events and $ 5 million in team events. The last to receive 120,000 dollars (156 million won). The $3 million (3.89 billion won) prize money for the team event is divided among four people. Carlos Ortis (Mexico), who had joined since the second game, finished second by two strokes (11 under par 205), and dustin Johnson (USA), a ‘popular icon’, stayed in fourth place (9 under par 207).
Dustin Johnson hits a drive shot on the 1st hole on the final day of Game 2 of LIV Golf. Portland (USA)=Getty images/Multibits
It is surprising that Johnson, the leader of the second round, walked a thorny path with 4 birdies and 3 bogeys that day. LIV Golf paid a whopping £100 million (156.4 billion won) as a condition of joining the ‘entertainment icon’. The first game also finished in 8th place, so my heart is in a hurry. Moreover, this time, it is the first stage in the mainland of the United States. The ‘4 Aces GC’, formed by Patrick Reed, Pat Perez, and Taylor Guchi (USA), took comfort in the team event victory (23-under-par 193).
Lead 3rd, ‘Twist Swing’ Matthew Wolf 8th (3 under par 213), ‘Hulk Bryson Disembo (USA) 10th (2 under par 214), Abraham Anser (Mexico) 11th (1 under par 215) Other), ‘Major Man’ Brooks Kepka (USA), 20th (even par 216), etc., apparently, the new ‘young blood’ seems to be making a remarkable leap forward. Game 3 will take place on the 29th at Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, New Jersey, USA.
Hyeonjun Kim, golf reporter golfkim@asiae.co.kr
