LIV Golf Riyadh Leaderboard And Live Updates: Elvis Smylie Leads On Debut, As Jon Rahm Among Chasing Pack

DETRY ON CUE

If Elvis Smylie wasn’t all shook up (sorry!) by the threat of Thomas Detry, he maybe will be after the Belgian puts his second shot at the par-5 13th to within “reasonable opportunity” territory for an eagle.

PUIG ON POINT

You can’t write off David Puig’s chances either. He did his chances no harm at all with an eagle at the 13th to move one back of the lead on 19 under. A par at the 14th means he remains right in the mix over the closing holes.

RAHM IN THE HUNT

You wouldn’t think Smylie had never played for LIV Golf before given how he’s handling the occasion. He’s four under for the day so far, with a par at the 11th keeping him one ahead. Among those breathing down his neck is Jon Rahm, though, who is two back of Smylie with six to play.

DEBUTANTS GOING STRONG

So, as things stand, two of the new signings are well within reach of victory – Smylie and Thomas Detry. Interestingly, had he not joined LIV Golf, it’s highly likely Detry would have been in Arizona rather than Riyadh this week defending his WM Phoenix Open title.

DOUBLE JOY AHEAD FOR SMYLIE?

Not surprisingly given Elvis Smylie’s position at the top of the leaderboard, his Ripper GC team is also going great guns in the team standings, currently on 62 under, four clear of Torque GC. Could the Australian be in for a double celebration on his LIV Golf debut?

ELVIS TO 20-UNDER

Smylie’s advantage temporarily moves to a single shot, but a birdie at the 10th puts him to 20-under and two ahead.

His two shot cushion is only momentarily, though, as Detry birdies the 11th and moves 19-under. It’s getting tight here in Riyadh.

RAHM AND DETRY WITHIN ONE

The European pair of Rahm and Detry aren’t giving up and, at the par 5 10th, both find birdies to jump to 18-under, one back of Smylie.

BACK NINE BEGINS

We are moving into the back nine at LIV Golf Riyadh, and it’s the circuit rookie, Elvis Smylie, who leads at 19-under, one ahead of Peter Uihlein, with both men three-and-two-under for their rounds.

Behind the pair is a big logjam at 17-under, which includes Jon Rahm and circuit newcomer Thomas Detry, with an intriguing back nine in-store at the season opener.