David Puig will make a professional debut at the LIV Golf Invitational Series stop in Chicago this week, but the Arizona State alum is not a rookie on the new circuit.
The Spaniard, aged 20, participated in two previous events of the Greg Norman-led series and was an amateur in this summer’s LIV Golf Bedminster debut. He finished T-41 in London and T42 at LIV Golf Bedminster. Puig stated that his reasons for leaving college so early, and after the beginning of the fall season, was because LIV offered him many playing opportunities.
Puig stated that LIV was supportive and gave him two exemptions as an amateur. This was a great gesture. “They also allowed me to play against some of the top players in the world. It was difficult to make the decision to leave ASU but it was an easy decision to join LIV.”
Later, Puig was asked if he looked into PGA Tour exemptions while attending Arizona State. He also answered that he hadn’t written to Phoenix Open or any other events.
“At the very least, it is difficult to get into the Phoenix Open, especially if you are from Spain. I’d say that Preston, one my teammates, had the opportunity to play in Phoenix Open. He deserves it. He’s an amazing guy, an awesome player, but I believe when he turned 10 he was already a member of TPC Scottsdale or had helped with the tournament in some way or another,” Puig stated, referring to Arizona State’s Preston Summerhays who was granted an exemption to the 2022 WM Phoenix Open. Matthew Wolff (2019 Oklahoma State All-American) and Jon Rahm (2015 Sun Devil), were two other recent college players who received exemptions as amateurs.
“Yeah. And then on the other tournaments. Being from Spain, it’s just really tough because they’d rather give exemptions to people who are local.”
It’s quite a lot of speculation from someone who didn’t really put in the effort.
Puig wasn’t selected to play in Arizona State’s first fall event. He was instead a second-place finisher at the Maui Intercollegiate, just down the road at Mirabel Golf Club. He played this summer for Cleeks GC, Bedminster, and Fireballs GC, London. He’ll be playing for Joaquin Niemann’s Torque GC this week.
“I don’t feel nervous. It’s almost the same every time you play golf. Puig stated that you just need to hit the golf ball and try to make as few shots as possible. “Obviously, this was my first professional tournament. I have some expectations. I want to play under par and help my team win.
“But I’m never nervous. It’s what I do every single day. It’s something I have practiced to do, in order to become one of the best players around the world. Yes, I don’t feel nervous. I’m excited to get started.”
By: Adam Woodard
Title: David Puig said playing opportunities made for ‘pretty easy decision’ to leave Arizona State and join LIV Golf
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/09/15/david-puig-arizona-state-liv-golf-chicago/
Published Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2022 22:04:05 +0000
Leave a Reply