David Puig part of 4-way tie for lead at LIV Golf Houston

HUMBLE, Texas (AP) — Spaniard David Puig had a 6-under 66 Saturday to join a four-way lead heading into the final round at LIV Golf Houston that no longer includes Jon Rahm.

Rahm withdrew after playing six holes – all pars – due to an infected left foot. He withdrew just five days before the start of the US Open.

The severity of the injury was not immediately known.

Puig, the 22-year-old Spaniard who played at Arizona State, was tied with Carlos Ortiz (68), Adrian Meronk (69) and Paul Casey (67). They were at 10 under 134. All will be aiming for their first LIV Golf title. Meronk joined the Saudi-funded league this year.

Ortiz won the Houston Open for his only PGA Tour victory, although it was on a different course than the Golf Club of Houston. Patrick Reed, who lives in Houston, had a 68 and was one shot away from the year.

Puig is among the LIV players at the US Open next week. He led qualifying in San Francisco a week ago, a key place for him as he fights for Spain’s second place at the Olympics.

The LIV Golf event will not help this cause because the Olympics are based on world rankings and LIV events do not receive them.

Casey also won the Houston Open at that golf course, although he said it was set up differently at the time because it was a week before the Masters and some areas around the green had been shaved to prepare players for Augusta National.

“But the situation is no less fierce today, even though a few years have passed. This golf course has teeth, and just because I won doesn’t mean anything,” Casey said.

Martin Kaymer, the last US Open champion at Pinehurst. made a double bogey on his fourth hole and shot 72 to finish three shots ahead.

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AP Golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf