(Image from Flickr, by Turkish Airlines Open 2016)
Will Anirban Lahiri hold his nerve and land his first LIV title?
As the best players from the LIV Tour gear up for next week’s Open Championship, the LIV bandwagon has rolled into Europe for its European swing.
The first stop has been in Spain for the LIV Golf Andalucia and it’s one of the Tour’s lesser lights who has a commanding lead as Anirban Lahiri leads by four strokes from Danny Lee.
With millions on the line and precious LIV ranking points on the line, plenty is on the line today and many will be expecting plenty of drama.
Ahead of what is bound to be an exciting day of golf, let’s take a look at what could happen today.
Anirban Lahiri puts himself in a commanding position to win a first LIV title
Although Anirban Lahiri might not be a headline name in the world of LIV golf, the Indian is a fine player who has enjoyed a tremendous career.
A winner of eighteen professional titles, including two on the DP World Tour, Lahiri has looked at home since joining the LIV ranks back in 2023.
A member of Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC, Lahiri has posted two top ten finishes this year and has been one of the team’s most consistent contributors.
After first round leader Dean Burmester could only shoot a disappointing 75, Lahiri was on hand to take full advantage and worked his way to the top of the leaderboard thanks to a superb second round 66.
Devastatingly accurate coming down the stretch, Lahiri posted six birdies in his final eleven holes to leave the field in his dust.
Despite leading by four, the class of player trying to catch him today can’t be denied and with the biggest payday of his career firmly in sight, Lahiri has plenty of work to do if he is to score a first ever LIV title.
Danny Lee will hope to capitalise on any Lahiri mistakes
Once billed as golf’s next big thing, Danny Lee will be hoping to remind everyone of his qualities as he tries to claw his way back into contention and overcome the four stroke deficit he currently has with leader Anirban Lahiri.
In a year where Lee has struggled with injury, this is just his fifth start of the year and he will be looking to land his second top ten of the year. A great opening round 67, was combined with an even par second round 72. If he is to challenge today he needs to rediscover the scoring touch he had during his first round.
(Image by wrdwnews12, Flickr)
Tyrell Hatton is looking for second consecutive LIV victory but has plenty of work to do
Tyrell Hatton is one of LIV’s newest stars but the Englishman proved that he is a force to be reckoned with as he claimed a first LIV title in Nashville just a few weeks ago.
With that victory behind him, Hatton has been keen to keep his momentum going and after a solid round of 68 yesterday finds himself just five strokes off the leaders.
A brilliant iron player, Hatton’s skills were on full display yesterday as he consistently worked the ball near the hole and he took full advantage on the greens.
Often it is his temperament that can get the better of him, but over the last few weeks he has been able to keep his emotions fully in check.
Although he will need Lahiri to falter, of the chasing group he makes the most appeal and could be one to watch with real interest today.
(Image takewn from Flickr, by Russ Glasson)
Richard Bland still hopes to mix it up with young guns
Richard Bland has enjoyed a tremendous 2024. A winner of two Senior Major championships, the Englishman has shown this week that despite being one of the oldest men in the field, he still has the game and skill to mix it up with the young guns.
Slow and steady with his play, the Englishman has shot two solid rounds to leave him -1 under for the tournament. Although he starts six behind Lahiri, Bland will want to try and work his way up the leaderboard today and put the Cleeks in a golden position to land their second team title in the last three weeks.
Spanish hopes may lie with Eugenio Chacarra
Four Spanish players teed it up this week hoping for glory in front of their home fans, however of the quartet it is arguably the least known who has the best shot of glory.
Eugenio Chacarra joined the LIV ranks this year and through much of 2024 has had to settle for finishes well down the field. Back on home soil and something has clearly clicked for the young Spainaird who currently lies in a tie for third and will be hopeful of making a further move today.
A superb opening round 68 was marred by an up and down round yesterday which contained four birdies, three bogeys and one double. Chacarra has one top ten finish to his name this season but will be hoping to go one place better here.
Lying two strokes behind Chacarra are the pair of John Rahm and Sergio Garcia.
Both will start today seven strokes behind Lahiri and will hope to apply some pressure to the Indian through the early part of today’s final round.
As is often the case all eyes will be on Rahm. LIV’s marquee acquisition, Rahm has yet to win on his new tour and at times seems to have struggled in his new surroundings.
Whilst there can be no doubts that this is where Rahm’s immediate future lies, there have been some that have questioned whether Rahm is missing life on the PGA Tour.
Usually a feature in the majors, he has barely been a footnote through the first three majors and will be hoping to remind the world of his dominance when he tees it up at next week’s Open.
Although a win today looks highly unlikely, those who follow Rahm will hope he produces something special to set himself up nicely for a shot at victory next week.
Final round betting
Although Anirban Lahiri looks to have this tournament on ice, if you fancy a flutter on today’s final round there is plenty of value that can be found. Here are the latest odds ahead of today’s action.
ANIRBAN LAHIRI - 8/11
TYRELL HATTON - 15/2
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU - 9/1
MARTIN KAYMER - 18/1
DANNY LEE - 20/1
EUGENIO CHACARRA - 20/1
LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN - 22/1
RICHARD BLAND - 25/1
JON RAHM - 28/1
Jack Hartman
A keen golfer and huge fan of the game, Jack has been covering golf for the last five years. Bringing you all the latest coverage and news from the PGA, LIV, LPGA and DP World Tours, never before has golf been so popular and Jack can’t wait to bring all the excitement to his readers.
