LIV hopeful borrows clubs from caddie friend, fades Q-school leaderboard

There is at least one feeling more helpless and frustrating than arriving at an airport baggage claim only to find that your clubs nowhere to be found:

Arriving at an airport baggage claim only to discover your clubs are nowhere to be found on the eve of one of the biggest starts of your life.

Such is the dilemma in which José Islas found himself a few days ago in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Islas, a former Mexican amateur standout who turned pro earlier this year, flew halfway around the world to play 72 holes of LIV Golf Promotional event. The chances of him passing are slim; there are 93 players in the field and, while the top 10 players (including ties) will earn full exemptions to the 2025 International Series, only the winner will punch their golden ticket to LIV, where last season 37 players earned more than $3 million in course earnings.

“We are playing for a lot,” Thai pro Jazz Janewattananond said earlier this week. “That one place will definitely change a life.”

But first things first: getting to the first group with your clubs.

For Islas, that part of the calculation proved challenging when the airline he flew to Riyadh (he didn’t say which airline) lost his clubs. You know what they say, though: When life gives you lemons, call your caddy buddy, Shane. That’s what Islas did, and Shane, an English ex-pat living in Riyadh, came to the rescue with a series of loan sharks. “He traveled here yesterday to bring the clubs,” Islas said Thursday. “So I played a practice round with those clubs.”

The irons are T200 Titleist, which are a far cry from the blades Islas is used to playing. “Stubby with stiff shafts,” is how Islas described his temporary irons. He added that the clubs are much fairer than his players. Overall, he said, “The complete opposite.”

But then a funny thing happened. In his first practice round with the clubs, Islas teed off on the back 9 of Riyadh Golf Club. On his second hole of the day (the par-4 11th), Islas had 165 yards to the green…and putt for eagle.

On Thursday, the good vibes (and swings) continued in the first round of the Promotions event. After birdying his first five holes, Islas reeled off five consecutive birdies to move to five under, where he would stay. At the end of the day, Islas was only two away from Jeunghun Wang’s lead.

When asked about his complementary clubs, Islas had something interesting to say.

“I think they work pretty well,” he said. “I think it’s not about the clubs – it’s more about how I’ve been thinking (about) the shots I’m going to hit. I was without any expectations. I think that’s why it really worked.”

Islas said he tried to play the simplest shots he could, which is harder than it sounds. “Try to get 18 birdies,” he said.

What about the location of his players group?

“I’m going to the airport right after,” Islas said. “I have been fighting with the airline for four days. We hope they are here.”

And if not, you understand that Islas will be fine.