Majesticks GC Leads as LIV Golf Adelaide Heads into Final Round

ADELAIDE, South Australia — The LIV Golf Adelaide tournament is shaping up to be a historic event for the Majesticks GC, as they enter the final round with a one-shot lead in the team competition. The final round will feature a three-way tie for the individual lead among Sam Horsfield, Carlos Ortiz, and Abraham Ancer, each at nine under par.

The Majesticks, who last earned a podium finish in 2022 at LIV Golf Boston, performed exceptionally on Saturday, with all four team members shooting under par. Horsfield led the charge with a 3-under 69, while Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood each posted 2-under 70s, and Henrik Stenson contributed a 1-under 71. Their cumulative score of 10 under provided a narrow edge over the Fireballs GC and Legion XIII, who both finished with a score of 9 under.

Sunday’s final round at The Grange Golf Club is set to be crucial for the Majesticks, as they look to secure their first tournament title. “I call them crafty veterans,” Horsfield said of his teammates, who bring a wealth of experience to the course. “They know how to get it done. I can feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket, so I’m sure it’s them in a group chat.”

The course presented a formidable challenge on Saturday, with swirling winds resulting in an overall stroke average of 72.611, more than a half-stroke over par. Despite these conditions, the Majesticks excelled as the only team with all players shooting under par.

Stenson emphasized the importance of consistency in difficult conditions, stating, “We’ve been one of the more consistent teams, but we haven’t had those low rounds getting in there. If we can just keep on grinding away and playing solid tee to green, then we should give ourselves some good chances.”

For 28-year-old Horsfield, this moment is significant as he seeks his first individual LIV Golf title. After an opening round of 66, he stumbled initially on Saturday but managed to recover with birdies on the back nine to share the lead. “It was a real tough test,” he explained. “I was really proud of the way that I hung in there and fought.”

As they head into the final round, the Majesticks will face competition from seasoned players like Ortiz, who knows the value of adapting to challenging playing conditions. Ortiz, after achieving a 4-under 68 on Saturday, noted the necessity of respect for the golf course. “You really have to play a little bit defensive, and I think I’ve done a good job of that,” he said.

The dynamic of the tournament is further complicated by the presence of big names like Jon Rahm, who finished Saturday tied for fifth at five under par. Rahm’s performance has set the stage for an exciting final round as he seeks to close the gap on the leaders. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau made headlines for driving the green on the challenging 409-yard par-4 15th hole, although he ultimately settled for a par finish.

The LIV Golf league’s new scoring format, established in the previous event in Riyadh, has allowed every player’s score to contribute to the team’s total, making each round critical. As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on the Majesticks and their effort to end their title drought against formidable contenders in this highly competitive field.