Thrilling playoff decides individual and team titles

By Samuel Blatchford

By Samuel Blatchford

SOTOGRANDE, Spain – Sunday’s round ended in a thrilling two hole playoff with Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC beating Anirban Lahiri of Crushers GC.

Garcia rallied from seven strokes down to win his first LIV Golf individual title on the second sudden-death playoff hole against Crushers GC’s Anirban Lahiri

It was LIV Golf’s first double playoff, and just the second team playoff in league history. 

Garcia won for the first time after three previous playoff losses.

Garcia started the day at even par, seven shots behind overnight leader Lahiri. But the Spanish star played flawless golf for 17 holes, posting six birdies and applying pressure on Lahiri, who was trying to break his own winless drought of nine years.

Then came the playoff hole for the team and individual title.

Garcia and Lahiri each parred their first playoff hole. Meanwhile, in the team playoff right behind them, DeChambeau found trouble off the 18th tee and had to lay up with his second shot. Casey’s approach finished in the rough behind the green. DeChambeau bogeyed the hole while Ancer and Puig made easy pars to claim the Fireballs’ first team victory of the season.

Eugenio Chacarra had a lot to say about his team’s win.

“A dream weekend for all of us,” said young Fireballs star Eugenio Chacarra. “Super happy for Sergio. He’s been up there a lot, and he’s been playing at a high level for 20 plus years. It’s really nice to see it from close every single day, and so happy for him that he got it done on his favorite course.” 

Fireballs GC claimed their team championship.