Uihlein leads International Series Qatar after Round 2
DOHA, Qatar - Peter Uihlein, a key member of RangeGoats GC in 2024, unleashed an 8-under 64 to take the lead after Round 2 of the US$2.5 million International Series Qatar, embracing windy conditions a day after calm weather.
He is 12-under through two rounds at Doha Golf Club and has a two-shot leleadds over Zach Bauchou, who carded a 4-under 68.
A host of LIV Golf members from 2024 are also in the mix. Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, who played for Stingers GC this season, shot a stellar 7-under 65 and is T4. David Puig, a member on Fireballs GC in 2024, is also T4.
Among the LIV Golf members from the 2024 who made the cut this week include Stinger GC Captain Louis Oosthuizen (T8), Dean Burmester (T10), Patrick Reed (T10), Brendan Steele (T10), Eugenio Chacarra (T10), Thomas Pieters (T18), Kalle Samooja (T18), Scott Vincent (T18), Kieran Vincent (T22), Branden Grace (T22), Anirban Lahiri (T40), Jinichiro Kozuma (T50) and Matt Jones (T63).
LIV Golf wild card player Anthony Kim made the cut and is T50.
The race to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit continues to gain momentum. LIV Golf reserve player John Catlin remains in the pole position, but at one point in Round 2 he looked like he would miss the cut for the second week in a row. But Catlin shot 73 to put himself into the weekend. His nearest challenger, Richard T. Lee from Canada, is 3-under after a 72.
Lee or Ben Campbell, also a LIV Golf reserve player who is 4-under through two rounds this week, need to win this week to have a chance of surpassing Catlin’s 3,030.06 points on the Merit list and also need to finish solo second next week. That scenario also needs Catlin to finish at the bottom of the leaderboard both weeks, so the American remains on course to win the title for the first time.
Catlin also leads The International Series Rankings, but that battle is wide open.
As for Uihlein, he won the International Series England in August for his first victory on the Asian Tour and The International Series. He nearly followed that up with a win at the International Series Thailand but finished second after letting a two-shot lead slip on the last hole.
“It was hard when it got windy,” Uihlein said. "It's fun though. I enjoy it. Kind of shapes the shots for you a little bit. I enjoy it. I definitely prefer when the wind picks up.”
An eagle on the short par-4 16th, seven birdies, and a solitary bogey helped him charge up the leaderboard.
“You just kind of try and execute really the best you can,” Uihlein added. “You're kind of playing like you're painting a picture when you're out there; I enjoy that style of golf. When the wind picks up I kind of enjoy it.”
Uihlein is one of a host of players who can win The International Series Rankings with only next week’s PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers remaining. He is currently in fourth place and within reach of Catlin.
Schwartzel, whose most recent victory was the LIV Golf Invitational in 2022 – LIV Golf’s first-ever event – began on the back nine and made a brilliant start by making birdie on the first hole before holing out for an eagle on the par-4 11th. He dropped his only shot of the day on the 14th but made a jump on the leaderboard with five more birdies.
“Yeah, that was quite a surprise,” said the 2011 Masters champion. “Struggled with my driver a bit yesterday and with this wind I was a bit worried. I actually drove it well and got off to that fantastic start and played solid from there, all the way in.”
Schwartzel has registered some strong performances on the LIV Golf League this season, tying for second in Jeddah and finishing tied for third in Adelaide, and would no doubt love to finish the year with a win.
"With me it’s always rhythm," Schwartzel said. "I get all quick, just tried to keep it smooth today and did a good job of it.”
(Photo by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour)