FIREBALLS TIED FOR LEAD THROUGH TWO ROUNDS IN CHICAGO
SUGAR GROVE, Ill. – With Abraham Ancer finding good form, Fireballs GC moved to the top of the team leaderboard through two rounds at LIV Golf Chicago.
The Fireballs will begin the final round at Rich Harvest Farms tied with Torque GC at 22 under. Sergio Garcia’s team will be seeking its second team victory of the season.
Ancer, who finished third last month in Bedminster for his best result since joining LIV Golf, shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday to move to 8 under for the tournament. That left him in a three-way tie for third, five strokes off the lead.
“Hit the ball really, really nice, both off the tee and from the fairway,” Ancer said. “Stayed patient. I missed a lot of putts that I felt like I could have made or should have made, and definitely the round could have gone the other way losing my patience but stayed in it.”
Ancer is happy to return to competitive form after an unexpected drop following his victory at the PIF Saudi International on the Asian Tour to open his 2023 schedule.
“Felt like it was going to be guns blazing here coming into the LIV season and didn't really go my way,” Ancer said. “I try not to put that much expectations, just go out there and play, but the results weren't coming.
“I feel like this season is the one that I've worked the hardest my whole career, but that's kind of how it goes.”
In addition to Ancer’s score, the Fireballs also received contributions from Carlos Ortiz (68) and Eugenio Chacarra (69).
Although the Fireballs are mathematically eliminated from claiming one of the top four byes for the Team Championship, they remain determined to add to their win total. They entered this week sixth in points.
“It is a bummer that we can't really catch anybody in front of us,” Ancer said. “We definitely want to stay or achieve that fifth spot because I know it's going to be important in Miami, so we definitely want to be hoisting the trophy at the end of the week and secure that fifth spot.”