David Puig made an early run at Patrick Reed on Sunday in Dubai, but his tournament was derailed by a slide on the back nine that included a hugely costly post-round penalty.
The young LIV Golf star cut Reed’s lead to two at the turn, but a bogey at the par-5 13th and another putt at the par-3 15th ended it Hero Dubai Desert Classic title tracking. However, the young Spaniard was still in line for a top-three finish when he birdied the final hole.
Puig chipped in for a closing score to finish in a tie for third, but then he was given bad news after coming off the green. Puig’s approach shot landed in the green bunker, and he accidentally dropped his club before the third tee. Puig was unaware he had committed the foul, but it was seen by tournament referee Graeme Storm on the telecast.
The two-stroke penalty dropped Puig into a tie for seventh, meaning instead of earning $508,500, he earned $232,200. That means Puig’s accidental clubbing cost him $276,300.
;)
Josh Schrock
That money won’t put a huge dent in Puig’s wallet, as the 24-year-old has already earned over $20 million since joining LIV Golf. However, that’s money Puig could have put toward the DP World Tour fines he’ll incur once Season LIV begins. Puig has said that while the fines will be costly, he has no problem paying them so he can remain a member of the tournament he grew up watching.
“In my case, I want to be a part of the tournament, so I’m going to do everything I can to continue to be a part of it. If it means paying any amount, I’ll do it,” Puig told reporters on Friday. via bunkered.co.uk.
“It’s expensive, obviously, but I’m willing to do it. That’s why I joined the tournament. We’ll see what happens. I don’t really know what’s going to happen, but in my case, I’m willing to do as much as I can to be part of this tournament.”
Puig’s mishap in the bunker did not play a factor in the outcome of the tournament, as Reed cruised to a four-hit victory on Andy Sullivan.
Reed then revealed that while he plans to play in LIV’s season-opening event in Saudi Arabia, he is not currently under contract with the breakaway league.
“We are still finalizing the contract (LIV Golf).
Reed said he still plans to be on the field for the season opener, but he is currently a free agent.
“Not that I know of. Not right now. It really all depends on everything,” Reed said. “I mean, I haven’t talked to the team at home or anything like that. But right now, I’m planning to play it up there in Riyadh and I’d be surprised if we’re not.”
