Majesticks GC: A Team on the Verge of History
ADELAIDE, South Australia – Sam Horsfield, the youngest player on Majesticks GC, admits he’s not certain when his team last secured a top-3 podium finish. When reminded it was at LIV Golf Boston in 2022, he laughed, saying, "Yeah, my memory doesn’t go back that far." Since then, 33 LIV Golf tournaments have passed, and the Majesticks are now one round away from ending their long dry spell, potentially sweeping both individual and team trophies. As the tournament enters its final day at LIV Golf Adelaide, the Majesticks hold a one-shot lead on the team leaderboard, while Horsfield shares the individual lead with Carlos Ortiz of Torque GC and Abraham Ancer of Fireballs GC. This trio is a commanding three strokes ahead of the rest of the field, with fierce competitors like Joaquin Niemann and Jon Rahm not far behind.
The Grange: A Formidable Challenge
The Grange course has proven to be a formidable adversary this week, especially with swirling winds that have created plenty of challenges. On Saturday, the stroke average for the field was over a half-stroke over par (72.611), making it nearly a stroke harder than the opening round. Despite the tough conditions, the Majesticks were the only team where all four players managed to shoot under par. Horsfield, who carded a 3-under 69, was at the forefront, followed by Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, both with 2-under 70s, and Henrik Stenson, who contributed a 1-under 71. Their combined 8-under total was a significant improvement over the other teams, leaving them in a strong position for the final round. The consistency and experience of the veteran players on the team, with more than 80 career professional wins among them, have been crucial in navigating the tricky conditions.
Horsfield’s Fight and Resolve
Sam Horsfield, a 28-year-old player with a promising career, is seeking his first LIV Golf individual win and his fourth since turning pro in 2017. After a stellar opening round of 66, he faced a challenging start on Saturday, bogeying his first hole and being 1-over at the turn. However, he showed remarkable resolve, steadying himself on the back nine and finishing with two birdies. His 9-under total places him in a tie for the lead. "It was a real tough test," Horsfield said. "I was really proud of the way that I hung in there and fought." His playing partners for the final round, Ancer and Ortiz, are no strangers to success, with Ancer winning in Hong Kong and Ortiz in Houston last season. Ancer’s 5-under 67 was the lowest score of the day, and he is excited about the challenge. "I love this kind of golf," Ancer said. "I’ve always loved playing in Australia. Seeing the conditions like this is exciting. It’s tough, but it’s really good for me."
The Veterans’ Advantage
Henrik Stenson, a team co-captain alongside Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, brings a wealth of experience to the Majesticks. Stenson, who won the individual honors in his LIV Golf debut at Bedminster in 2022, is tied for sixth and feels confident about his team’s chances. "Looking back at some of the previous years, I think we’ve been one of the more consistent teams, but we haven’t really had those low rounds getting in there," Stenson said. "Especially with the conditions being as they are, being tough, then if we can just keep on grinding away and playing solid tee to green, then we should give ourselves some good chances." The presence of three seasoned veterans on the team, each with a proven track record under pressure, could be the key factor in their quest for the team title. Horsfield, who refers to his older teammates as "crafty veterans," is eager to see how their combined experience will play out in the final round. "They’ve been around the block a few times, and 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," he added with a smile.
The Competitors to Watch
While the Majesticks have a one-shot lead, the competition is fierce and includes some of the best players in the LIV Golf circuit. Carlos Ortiz of Torque GC and Abraham Ancer of Fireballs GC, both tied with Horsfield, have demonstrated their skills and consistency throughout the tournament. Ortiz, known for his ability to pick his battles and escape trouble, had three birdies in a four-hole stretch on Saturday, en route to a 68. His scrambling was flawless, successfully navigating the course’s challenges. "You really have to be respectful of the golf course, almost play a little bit defensive, and I think I’ve done a good job of that," Ortiz said. "I feel like I’ve taken my medicine when I’ve been out of play. I’ve honestly quite played conservative off the tee and into the greens, and I think that’s paid off." Ancer, who won the Australian Open in 2018, is equally optimistic about his chances. "I love this kind of golf," he said. "It’s tough, but it’s really good for me."
Bryson DeChambeau’s Highlight and Setback
Bryson DeChambeau, the captain of Crushers GC, provided a highlight on Saturday with a drive that reached the green on the 409-yard par-4 15th. While this impressive shot won’t be recorded in the statistical books because it wasn’t one of the two designated driving average holes, it was a testament to DeChambeau’s power and precision. Unfortunately, his day ended on a less positive note, as he three-putted for par and ultimately posted a 1-over 73, leaving him at 3 under, six shots behind the leaders. Despite the setback, DeChambeau’s performance has been a thrilling spectacle for the fans, and his team remains in the hunt, currently at 5 under, tied for fourth place. The new LIV Golf scoring format, where all four scores count in every round, adds a layer of complexity and excitement to the team competition, making every player’s performance crucial.
The Road to Sunday: Team Standings and Final Round Preview
As the final round of LIV Golf Adelaide approaches, the pressure is on, but the Majesticks GC are in a prime position to make history. Here’s a breakdown of the team standings after the second round:
- Majesticks GC -10 (Horsfield 69, Poulter 70, Westwood 70, Stenson 71; Rd. 2 score: -8)
- Fireballs GC -9 (Ancer 67, Puig 70, Garcia 74, Masaveu 74; Rd. 2 score: -3)
- Legion XIII -9 (Hatton 72, McKibbin 71, Rahm 69, Surratt 73; Rd. 2 score: -3)
- Crushers GC -5 (Lahiri 70, Casey 71, DeChambeau 73, Howell III 74; Rd. 2 score: E)
- Torque GC -3 (Ortiz 68, Niemann 71, Muñoz 74, Pereira 79; Rd. 2 score: +5)
- Stinger GC -2 (Burmester 71, Grace 72, Schwartzel 73, Oosthuizen 75; Rd. 2 score: +3)
- Ripper GC -1 (Herbert 70, Leishman 70, Jones 71, Smith 73; Rd. 2 score: -4)
- 4ACES GC E (Varner III 71, Pieters 72, Reed 73, Johnson 78; Rd. 2 score: +6)
- HYFLYERS GC +2 (Steele 70, Tringale 71, Mickelson 74, Ogletree 75; Rd. 2 score: +2)
- Iron Heads GC +4 (Ormsby 71, Jang 72, Na 72, Lee 74; Rd. 2 score: +1)
- Smash GC +8 (Koepka 71, Kokrak 73, Gooch 74, McDowell 75; Rd. 2 score: +5)
- RangeGoats GC +11 (Campbell 70, Uihlein 72, Watson 72, Wolff 80; Rd. 2 score: +6)
- CleeKs GC +18 (Bland 73, Meronk 75, Kjettrup 75, Kaymer 79; Rd. 2 score: +14)
With the new scoring format in place, every stroke counts, and the team with the most consistent and resilient performance will likely come out on top. The Majesticks, with their blend of youth and experience, are well-positioned to secure a historic win. However, the fierce competition and the unpredictable nature of The Grange course mean nothing is certain until the final putt is made on Sunday.
