Abraham Ancer won LIV Golf Hong Kong, defeating Paul Casey and Cameron Smith in a play-off; Casey scores a final-round 64 to tie Smith and Ancer on 13 under after the latter’s five-shot advantage is wiped out; Joaquin Niemann blasts a hole-in-one but falls short of back-to-back titles.
Abraham Ancer
Abraham Ancer won LIV Golf Hong Kong, defeating Paul Casey and Cameron Smith in a playoff.
Abraham Ancer won a three-way play-off in Hong Kong, ending Paul Casey’s ambition for his first LIV Golf title and Cameron Smith’s pursuit of a fourth.
Ancer had a five-shot lead entering Sunday’s final round, but a two-over 72 knocked him back to 13 under for the event, alongside Englishman Casey and Australian Smith.
The trio then returned to the 18th hole at Fanling in severe rain, where Ancer birdied following a fantastic approach to the green to win his first LIV Golf trophy, while Casey and Smith bogeyed.
Ancer stated, “I made it so hard on myself. I didn’t strike the ball well, but I felt great mentally. I felt determined not to give up.
“That round could have gone down quickly. I made some excellent bunker shots and putts just to get into the game. I then made the right shot at the right time in the playoffs.
Casey stars before play-off as Niemann hits hole-in-one.
Casey carded six birdies in a flawless 64, including a chip in from a greenside bunker on the final hole, while Smith produced a four-under 66 with two gains on each nine.
Paul Casey – LIV Golf Mexico.
Paul Casey shot a blemish-free final-round 64 in Hong Kong.
Smith previously won LIV events in Chicago in 2022 and London and New Jersey last year, but has yet to win this season.
Joaquin Niemann won the season opening in Mexico, followed by Saudi Arabia last week, Dustin Johnson in Las Vegas, and now Ancer in Hong Kong.
Niemann finished one shot behind the leaders in Hong Kong on 12 under, with his seven-under 63, which included a hole-in-one on the par-three eighth, falling just short of qualifying for the playoffs.
Captain Joaqu..n Niemann of Torque GC hits a shot from the fifth tee during the second round of LIV Golf Jeddah at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Saturday, March 2, 2024 in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via AP.)
Joaquin Niemann’s hole-in-one occurred during a seven-under round of 63.
The Chilean had seven birdies in addition to the aced eagle, but two bogeys cost him back-to-back championships and a third in four events.
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