The PIF Saudi International got off to an exciting start at the Riyadh Golf Club, with several LIV Golf players making strong starts. However, not all big names were able to keep up and ended up missing the 36-hole cut. With over 40 current and former LIV golfers in the field, only a select few managed to secure their spots for the weekend.
At the end of Thursday, eight of the top eleven players were from the LIV Golf League. Leading the pack was Caleb Surratt, who set the pace at 14 under par after a stellar first round of 62 followed by a solid 66 on day two. Thomas Pieters closely trailed in second place after carding a 63.
As more LIV players moved into the top spots at the PIF Saudi International, some experienced stars saw their tournaments come to an early end. Here are four notable players who failed to make the cut:
1. Joaquin Niemann: The defending champion of the 2024 PIF Saudi International, Joaquin Niemann, fell short of the weekend mark with a total of 1-under 141. Despite improving on Thursday with a 69, his performance was not enough to secure a spot for the weekend.
2. Sergio Garcia: Sergio Garcia also exited the tournament at 1-under par. While he showed improvement in his second round with a 69, it was not sufficient to advance to the weekend rounds.
3. Talor Gooch: Talor Gooch finished at even par after two rounds, with a total score of 142. Despite a mixed performance in his second round, Gooch’s score was not enough to make the cut.
4. Dustin Johnson: Two-time winner of the event when it was held at Royal Greens, Dustin Johnson also missed the cut at the PIF Saudi International. Posting scores of 70 and 74 in the two rounds, Johnson finished at 2-over 144, ending his chances of advancing.
Overall, the PIF Saudi International saw a mix of strong performances from LIV Golf players and early exits from some big names. It will be interesting to see how the remaining players fare in the weekend rounds as they compete for the title.
