DJ stunning in Saudi Arabia but Sergio sees red
Dustin Johnson made his trip to the Middle East worthwhile as he picked up his first win of 2019, but Sergio Garcia hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, writes Joe Hughes
What happened at the Saudi International?
Dustin Johnson claimed his first regular win on the European Tour with a two-stroke victory over Haotong Li.
It was the back-nine that made the difference as the American thrived, despite briefly falling behind just before the turn.
Full Saudi International leaderboard
Wow. Haotong Li with ANOTHER chip in. ?
He takes a one shot lead. pic.twitter.com/pNztgQygpV
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 3, 2019
Overnight joint-leader Li took the lead at the turn but three sloppy bogeys all but ended his challenge.
Bounceback ?@DJohnsonPGA ties the lead in style.#SaudiIntGolf pic.twitter.com/dA4kHmb8cJ
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 3, 2019
Birdies at 11 and 12 gave Johnson the edge and he then managed to keep his cool down the stretch despite a bogey at 16.
Despite finding the water Dustin Johnson gets up and down from 150 yards to save bogey.
His lead is one. Two to play. pic.twitter.com/IFZyGqr9ev
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 3, 2019
Tom Lewis boosted his chances of making his Masters debut this year as he fought his way to a solo-3rd finish.
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• Birdie13 birdies in his last 20 holes for Tom Lewis. pic.twitter.com/rAb4IU4ol2
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 3, 2019
The result means that he moves closer to the world’s top 50, and if he can continue the form that he has shown in the Middle East, he has a real chance of making it to Augusta.
The Englishman looked like a man on a mission and birdied all of his opening five holes. He played some tidy golf to ensure he picked up a second top-10 finish in three starts.
Talking points
We promise to stop talking about the new Rules of Golf soon, but whilst they continue to dominate the headlines, we just can’t avoid it.
Sergio Garcia is the latest golfer to fall foul as he was disqualified from the third round of the Saudi International for committing what the European Tour described as “serious misconduct”.
Confirmation that Sergio Garcia has been disqualified from @SaudiIntlGolf at @RoyalGreens_KSA @ScotsmanSport @edinburghsport pic.twitter.com/bSZko30FiO
— Martin Dempster (@DempsterMartin) February 2, 2019
The Spaniard is said to have purposely damaged several greens with his club after becoming frustrated at his own game.
According to the official European Tour statement, Garcia said: “I respect the decision of my disqualification. In frustration, I damaged a couple of greens, for which I apologise for, and I have informed my fellow players it will never happen again.”
Apparently, Sergio Garcia damaged FIVE greens and the players in next four groups all complained to officials @SaudiIntlGolf @RoyalGreens_KSA @ScotsmanSport @edinburghsport
— Martin Dempster (@DempsterMartin) February 2, 2019
He is believed to be the first player in European Tour history to be hit with a DQ for breaking the ‘integrity rule’.
Footage of the damage to the greens has yet to surface – it may, of course, not exist – but a bunker strop from Sergio from 24 hours before his DQ has come to light…
Sergio Garcia’s meltdown in a Royal Greens bunker a day prior to his disqualification for vandalism work on five greens. Story by @SkySportsGolf fills in details. Translations welcomed! https://t.co/UoGmPtTOz4 pic.twitter.com/dQMDN7y2PC
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) February 4, 2019
Saved par, though…
Anything else?
Haotong Li showed that he hasn’t let last week’s controversial penalty affect his terrific form as he narrowly missed out on his third European Tour victory.
The 23-year-old’s third round was something special.
What's most impressive? ?
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 2, 2019
Li made four eagles in total with three of them coming on par 4s, which makes him the first man to make three eagle-2s in a single round. Incredible.
Per the @EuropeanTour, Haotong Li is the first player in the Tour's recorded history with three eagles on par 4s in the same round. He's the first player with 4 eagles in the same round since 2007.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) February 2, 2019
His round of 62 is even more impressive when you consider that he carded a double-bogey 6 at the 6th hole.
Just one more…
It’s likely that you will have heard about the controversy surrounding the event in Saudi Arabia, but the tournament has been run without any issues.
Opinions have been split over whether the European Tour should have been heading to the Middle East country and the debate will rumble on.
But, one thing we can’t argue about is that we saw some really, really good golf.
Don’t worry everyone – DJ is totally not OK with murder
The split over Saudi Arabia – what the pros and pundits think
Joe Hughes
Tour editor covering men's golf, women's golf and anything else that involves the word golf, really. The talk is far better than the game, but the work has begun to change that.
