Joaquin Niemann, the LIV Golf superstar, faces a tense cut line battle, while Aussie cult hero Marc Leishman shines. Niemann, who won five times on the LIV circuit, struggles in Brisbane. Meanwhile, Leishman and Cam Davis lead the Australian charge, with Brett Rankin in the lead. Don’t miss the crazy finish by Rocco Repetto Taylor, who went on a birdie-eagle-birdie-eagle-birdie run! Catch all the action and stay tuned for more updates from the Australian PGA Championship.
A stunning twist has rocked the Australian PGA Championship, a tournament where champions are made, but also where reputations can burn out fast. LIIV golf sensation Wim Neman is feeling the heat in Brisbane while a homegrown favorite lights up the leaderboard. And this is the part most people didn’t see coming. At Royal Queensland, Nean, who dominated the LIIV circuit this year with five victories, is facing a tense afternoon wait to discover if he’ll even make the cut. The Chilean star has struggled to find his rhythm, posting identical even par rounds of 71 across two days. That leaves him hovering on the bubble, hoping others falter. So the projected cut line, currently sitting at one under, slides in his favor. While Neiman nervously watches from the clubhouse, fellow international Raasmus Negard Peterson, bound for the PGA Tour, also couldn’t find form, finishing five over after rounds of 74 and 73. For these global names, the Queensland challenge has been anything but kind. In contrast, the Aussie charge has been fierce and confident. Mark Leechman and Cam Davis both ended their morning rounds at seven under, just three shots behind the leader, Queensland’s own Brett Rankin. Leechman, a season veteran with years of experience under pressure, still had five holes to complete when he surged to 10 under overall, putting himself squarely in the title hunt. And the excitement doesn’t stop there. Heavy hitters Adam Scott minus3, Minu Lee, minus3, and Cam Smith minus2 are all joining the action this afternoon, promising even more fireworks as the leaderboard tightens. For those following every swing and stumble, realtime updates are available through Fox Sports Live leaderboard with all the action streaming via KO Sports from November 27th to 30th. Newcomers can even grab their first month for just a dollar. Round one recap. Thursday’s opening round offered no shortage of drama. Headlined by littleknown Spaniard Roco Rapto Taylor who set Royal Queensland buzzing with one of the wildest finishes ever witnessed. The 23-year-old celebrating his birthday and recently promoted from the Hotel Planner tour went on a jaw-dropping run of Birdie Birdie Eagle Eagle Birdie Birdie tearing through his final six holes at eight under par. His dazzling round of 64 placed him just one stroke behind compatriate Sebastian Garcia, who led at 8 under after completing his bogey-free 63 once lightning delays had cleared. “First round in Australia. First round on the DP World Tour. It’s something I’ll remember forever,” Rapetto Taylor said, his joy reflecting the magnitude of the moment. Among the Aussies, Brett Rankin soared early, matching the Spaniard 64 with a sparkling stretch of five birdies on the front nine. Daniel Gale also thrilled fans not just with a 6 under 65, but with a spectacular hullin one at the par 311th, a shot that earned him a brand new BMW. Leashman’s 67 put him solidly in contention alongside fellow Australian Anthony Quail who’s joined this week by none other than Tiger Woods former Caddy Steve Williams. New Zealander Ryan Fox also landed at 67, keeping himself in the early mix. Other big names like Adam Scott, Min Wu Lee, and Cam Davis ended day one at three under while Cam Smith and Marco Penge closed at two under and one under respectively. T times round two QLD time 7:30 a.m. Whole 10 Daniel Hillier Cam Davis Wim Neman 7:40 a.m. Whole 10 Abraham Answer Mark Leechman Raasmus Peterson 12:30 p.m. Whole 1 Marco Penge Minu Lee Cam Smith 12:40 p.m. whole one. Ryan Fox, Adam Scott, Elvis Smiley. The mix of triumphs, near misses, and rising stars has already made this championship a roller coaster of emotions. But here’s what’s sparking debate. Can the LIV stars prove their value against the best of Australia’s homegrown talent? Or are they being exposed on tougher, more traditional courses? What do you think? Are LIIV players struggling because of the competition or because the style of play on their tour doesn’t prepare them for challenges like Royal Queensland? Share your thoughts below. This discussion is just getting started.
