Path. 2 News & Notes: Casey’s Shopping Cart Switch

HUMBLE, Texas – It’s a deadlock at the top of the LIV Golf Houston leaderboard entering Sunday as Crushers GC’s Paul Casey, Cleeks GC’s Adrian Meronk, Torque GC’s Carlos Ortiz and Fireballs GC’s David Puig are tied at 10 under . Fireballs GC is at the top of the team rankings. Here are some news and notes from the second round at the Golf Club of Houston.

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CASEY CADDY SWITCH: Round two co-leader Paul Casey has his wife Polly on the bag this week for only the second time in his career. Several months ago, his regular caddy John McLaren asked for this week off to be able to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Landings in France. Casey was happy to oblige.

“He sent me some amazing photos,” Casey said. “He went there wearing his McLaren kilt and tartan. He’s very, very proud to be British, so I think it’s amazing to pay tribute to these commemorations.

“It’s a whole thing. We’re very lucky to do what we do. We’re very lucky to live in the countries that we live in. This year he wanted to come down, maybe that’s the one of the last times that those who fought and were on these beaches are still alive now because it’s been 80 years, it couldn’t be cooler I’m proud that he went, and he’s happy. that he went there.

Then the Crushers GC veteran added with a smile: “I’m obviously doing my best to make him feel a little bit pressured, like he doesn’t have a monopoly on this job.”

CLEEKS IN SEARCH OF THE FIRST TROPHY: Cleeks GC are the only team to have never celebrated a trophy of any kind – individual or team – at LIV Golf. But Martin Kaymer’s team is moving in the right direction, and the drought could end on Sunday.

Newcomer Adrian Meronk is one of four co-leaders entering the final round in Houston, following his opening score of 65 with a 3-under 69. The Cleeks began the day as leaders of the team in the first round by three, and despite a slowdown in pace, they are only five shots behind Fireballs GC before the final round.

At the previous LIV Golf event in Singapore, Cleeks tied for second, the team’s best-ever finish.

“I think you can see the progress since the beginning of the year. I hope we can lift the trophy soon,” Meronk said. “When, I can’t tell you. It depends on many factors. But the chemistry and the level of play, it’s improving from week to week. We can just hope to play well tomorrow. It’s going to be exciting. Every score counts, so anything can happen tomorrow.

LAST ROUND AVERAGES: Among the four co-leaders, Carlos Ortiz had the best performance in the final round this season with a total of 21 under in the first seven tournaments. Paul Casey is at 13 under, David Puig at 11 under and Adrian Meronk at 6 under.

“Making those scores in the final round, honestly, it’s just about getting used to the golf course,” Ortiz said.

Patrick Reed, solo fifth at a backstroke, was one of LIV Golf’s top final round players the first two seasons but struggled on Sundays this year. He has a cumulative score of 1, although he shot a 5-under 66 in the last final round of LIV Golf in Singapore.

“There were times when I went back so far and tried to get a decent finish that I had to push, and when you go out there and push, that doesn’t usually happen in golf,” explained Reed. “You have to let that come to you, and I feel like that’s what I’m trying to do this week.”

RAHM, OOSTHUIZEN WD: LIV Golf captains Jon Rahm (Legion XIII) and Louis Oosthuizen (Stinger GC) withdrew on Saturday due to injuries.

Oosthuizen withdrew before the start of the second round due to a lower back injury. He was replaced by reserve player Wade Ormsby, who shot a 1-over 73 that counted for the team. Oosthuizen shot an opening round 3-under 69.

Rahm withdrew after playing six holes (all par) on Saturday due to an infection in his left foot. He will be replaced by reserve player Ben Campbell for Sunday’s final round. Rahm also shot a 69 in the first round.

Both players are expected to return for the upcoming LIV golf tournament in Nashville June 21-23. Rahm remains scheduled to play at the US Open next week.

STATISTICS LEADERS OF THE 2nd ROUND

Driving precision: Jason Kokrak, 100% (14 out of 14 fairways hit)
Driving distance: Bryson DeChambeau, 342.6 yards average.
Longest drive: Bryson DeChambeau, 355.3 yards, 13th hole
Greens in regulation: Richard Bland, 88.89% (16 of 18 greens)
Jamming: Matthew Wolff (6 of 6), Sergio Garcia (5 of 5), Abraham Ancer (5 of 5), Jason Kokrak (3 of 3), 100%
Putting: Hudson Swafford, 1.39 putts per hole
Bogey-free rounds: Abraham Ancer (66 years old), Matthew Wolff (67 years old)