LECANTO, FLORIDA: Canadian golfer Richard T. Lee maintained his impressive form at the LIV Golf Promotions event, carrying a two-shot advantage into the final round at Black Diamond Ranch on Saturday. Lee delivered another composed performance, carding a bogey-free 6-under-par 64, underlining his status as the most consistent player in the field heading into the decisive final day.
Lee initially topped the leaderboard after the opening round on Thursday. Although scores were reset ahead of the final 36 holes played over the weekend, the Canadian quickly reasserted his dominance. After earlier rounds of 64 and 66, his latest effort confirmed his ability to handle pressure while remaining focused on the task at hand.
During Saturday’s round, Lee showcased precision and patience, collecting birdies on par-4 holes at the second, seventh, 12th, 14th, and 15th, along with another birdie on the par-5 ninth. Crucially, he avoided mistakes entirely, completing his round without a single bogey. Across 54 competitive holes, Lee has recorded two eagles, 13 birdies, and just one bogey, a statistic that reflects both his consistency and sharp course management throughout the event.
Despite holding a narrow cushion at the top, Lee remained cautious when speaking about his position. “Honestly, I don’t think any player ever feels comfortable going into the last day with a two-shot lead,” he said. “I’ll just put my hat on and play my game. That’s all I can control.” His calm approach has been a defining feature of his week and may prove decisive on Sunday.
Chasing Lee is a three-way tie for second place at four-under-par, featuring Anthony Kim of the United States, Oliver Bekker of South Africa, and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond. Each of the contenders posted solid rounds to keep themselves firmly in contention for one of the coveted LIV Golf League spots.
Anthony Kim, the most high-profile name in the chasing group, delivered one of the standout rounds of the day. He matched Lee’s bogey-free performance, picking up birdies at the ninth, 13th, 14th, and 16th holes. Kim’s resurgence continues to be one of the most compelling storylines of the tournament, as the former American prodigy attempts to rebuild his career after more than a decade away from professional golf.
South African Oliver Bekker also impressed, despite a lone blemish on his scorecard. He bogeyed the par-4 14th, but responded with birdies at holes three, nine, 13, 16, and 18, keeping himself well within striking distance. Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond endured a slightly more mixed round, dropping shots at holes three and 10, but countered effectively with birdies at four, five, seven, nine, 13, and 16.
The stakes at the LIV Golf Promotions event are significant. The top three finishers will earn full-season wild-card spots for the 2026 LIV Golf League, a prize that could redefine careers. Additionally, the top 10 players and ties will gain exemptions for the 2026 International Series, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, providing further competitive opportunities on the global stage.
Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard sits alone in fifth place after posting a 3-under 67. The 34-year-old, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, acknowledged the importance of the moment, admitting that securing full-time LIV Golf status could be career-defining. “At this stage of my career, it’s probably this or retirement,” Bjerregaard said candidly. “So yes, it would mean a great deal to me.”
Anthony Kim’s presence near the top of the leaderboard has attracted considerable attention. Once regarded as one of golf’s brightest talents, Kim stepped away from the sport in 2012 and did not return to competitive golf until 2024. He joined the LIV circuit as a wild card in both 2024 and 2025, but was relegated at the end of the 2025 season, forcing him to attempt a comeback through the promotions event.
Kim was among several players granted exemptions into the second round, while others had to navigate a play-in round on Thursday. Now 40 years old, Kim remains the only American golfer to advance to the weekend, and he is determined to make the most of the opportunity. “I’ve got a chance to earn one of those spots,” he said on Saturday. “That’s exactly what I wanted coming into the week. I’ve put myself in a good position—now I just need to finish the job.”
Kim’s path to the weekend was far from easy. He made an eight-foot birdie putt on his final hole on Friday to make the cut on the number, squeezing into the 22-player weekend field. That clutch moment kept his hopes alive and set the stage for his strong showing on Saturday.
As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on Richard T. Lee, who has displayed a level of composure and consistency unmatched by the rest of the field. However, with several experienced competitors close behind and significant rewards on offer, Sunday promises to be a tense and compelling conclusion.
The LIV Golf Promotions event continues to highlight the fine margins at elite-level golf, where opportunity, resilience, and timing play crucial roles. Whether Lee can convert his lead into full-time LIV status or whether a challenger can mount a late charge remains to be seen.
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