David Puig fires 66, part of 4-way tie atop LIV Golf Houston

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

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 it’s not any less fierce now, even though we’re a few years into it. This golf course has some teeth, and just because I won doesn’t make any difference,” 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.