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Associated Press

One of the best former amateur golfers in the world is leading after two rounds of the LIV Golf tournament in Thailand.
Ex-Oklahoma State player Eugenio Chacarra turned professional to play on the LIV series.
The two-time, first-team All-American was No 2 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking before he signed a three-year contract with the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV tour.
On Saturday he birdied three of his first five holes and eagled his sixth on the way to a 9-under 63 and a five-stroke lead after two rounds of the 54-hole event.
The Spanish 22-year-old, one of the co-leaders after the first round, had a 36-hole total of 16-under 128 on the newly opened Stonehill Golf Club course north of Bangkok.

There was a four-way tie for second. First-round co-leader Richard Bland (68), Sihwan Kim (66), Harold Varner III (66) and Patrick Reed (65) were at 11 under.
Branden Grace, one of the first-round leaders with Chacarra and Bland, withdrew after three holes on Saturday with an undisclosed injury.
“The conditions are great and the course is unbelievable,” Chacarra said. “But I think the key was I went back to see what I was doing in college because I was working so good and I didn’t do as good the first four weeks as a pro, and it was just try to have fun and then play to not make bogeys.
“I’m actually hitting it pretty good, but I’m playing smart and I’m having fun.”
It’s the first time LIV Golf is being played outside the United States since its inaugural event in early June near London.


Hong Kong Open: Patrick Reed takes charge at Fanling with remarkable 59, has 3-shot lead

LIV Golf: Martin Kaymer won’t wait until promotions event to complete Cleeks GC team line-up

Hong Kong Open: Justin Rose welcomes return of ‘still great’ Sergio Garcia to DP World Tour

LIV Golf reduces number of promotion spots, opens up more places for team recruitment

LIV Golf

LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok: Eugenio Chacarra leads by 5 strokes after 2 rounds in Thailand

Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra from Spain gestures with his caddy on the 11th hole during the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Club in Pathum Thani, Thailand.Photo: AP

Sihwan Kim plays from a bunker on the 13th hole during the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok. Photo: AP

Greg Norman says decision to exclude LIV players from world golf rankings hurts the game

Greg Norman (left) with Stonehill boss Ing Ratanavadi on day 1 of the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok. Photo: LIV Golf

Fans were out in force during the first round of the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course in Thailand. Photo: LIV Golf

Bryson DeChambeau of the USA studies the line during the first round of the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok at Stonehill. Photo: EPA-EFE

Phil Mickelson says world golf rankings need LIV events to be ‘credible’ – but officials won’t rule for weeks

Phil Mickelson says world golf rankings need LIV events to be credible. Photo: LIV Golf

The 48 players in the field for the LIV Golf Invitational in Thailand pose for a photo during a welcome party in Bangkok. Photo: LIV Golf

Dustin Johnson says LIV Golf players ‘deserve’ to be awarded global ranking points. Photo: LIV Golf

Music, shorts and tuk-tuks: players embrace LIV Golf’s revamped tournament style of play

Ian Poulter (left) and Lee Westwood in a tuk-tuk ahead of LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok at Stonehill. Photo: LIV Golf

Pachara Khongwatmai (left) and Sodam Kaewkanjanduring speak to the media before the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course. Photo: LIV Golf

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood of Team Majesticks show off their shorts and socks during a media session ahead of LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok. Photo: LIV Golf

Sport

Golf

‘The conditions are great and the course is unbelievable … I’m hitting it pretty good, but I’m playing smart and I’m having fun,’ Chacarra says
The Spanish 22-year-old turned professional to play on the controversial Saudi Arabia-backed LIV series, which is holding its first event in Asia


The Spanish 22-year-old turned professional to play on controversial Saudi Arabia-backed LIV series, which is holding its first event in Asia.


Patrick Reed