FIREBALLS TIED FOR THIRD AFTER FIRST ROUND IN JEDDAH
KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, Saudi Arabia – Captain Sergio Garcia and Carlos Ortiz led the way for Fireballs GC in Friday’s first round of LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN.
Garcia and Ortiz each shot opening 2-under 68s to finish among a six-way tie for eight on the individual leaderboard at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.
Garcia was 1 over on his round through 12 holes before rallying late with three birdies in his final six holes. That stretch included birdies at both par 5s, the 18th and the fourth holes.
Ortiz birdied two of his first five holes and then played even-par golf the rest of the way.
Eugenio Chacarra provided the other counting score for the Fireballs with a 1-under 69 that included four birdies and three bogeys.
Abraham Ancer, the winner at Royal Greens earlier this year in the PIF Saudi International presented by Softbank Investment Advisers, shot a 1-over 71 as he battled through a four-hole stretch midway in his round that included two doubles and a bogey.
As a team, the Fireballs are tied for third at 5 under with the league-leading 4Aces GC, and are just one stroke off the lead shared by Ripper GC and Crushers GC.
Garcia’s team is seeking its second team victory and fourth podium finish of the season.