Bekker was part of LIV Golf’s inaugural field at the 2022 London tournament. Four seasons later, he’s excited about the opportunity to return to the league as a full-time member.

“Thinking back on it now, I had the opportunity to play a few more events, and now I’m like, well, maybe I should have played them,” Bekker said. “The water was a bit rough at that stage and didn’t know what was going to happen, so I played it a bit safe. Luckily, I’ve been given another opportunity this week, and hopefully I can take it.”

Janewattananond won four tournaments in 2019 when he became a top-50 world player, and currently at age 30, still has plenty of years left in his competitive career. After shooting a second-round 67 to advance to the weekend, he shot a 66 on Saturday that included four birdies in a six-hole stretch to end his front nine.

“It’s a very big prize at the end of the day,” Janewattananond said. “Those three spots up for grabs, it would give me freedom to play wherever I want and security for my family.”

The 34-year-old Bjerregaard, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, said earning full-time LIV Golf status would be career-changing.

“Where I am in my career right now,” he said, “it’s probably that or retirement. Yeah, that would mean a lot for sure.”

Although nothing is guaranteed, Lee has played so well this week that there may be just two spots available for the remainder of the field.

“We’re not playing for one spot,” said Janewattananond. “I don’t have to worry about him. I just have to worry about myself.”

“He played great today,” added Bjerregaard, playing in the same group as Lee on Saturday. “But I would be happy with any of the other two spots, so that’s fine. I can finish third. I wouldn’t mind.” 

LEADERBOARD

The top three players after Sunday’s final round of the 36-hole weekend shootout at Black Diamond Ranch will claim the three available LIV Golf wild card spots for 2026. The top 10 players and ties earn exemption into The International Series on the Asian Tour. The leaderboard after Saturday’s first 18 holes:

Richard T. Lee, Canada – 64
Oliver Bekker, South Africa – 66
Jazz Janewattananond, Thailand – 66
Anthony Kim, USA – 66
Lucas Bjerregaard, Denmark – 67
Max Kennedy, Ireland – 69
Takanori Konishi, Japan – 69
Joe Pagdin, England – 69
Sarit Suwannarut, Thailand – 69
Jeunghun Wang, South Korea – 69
Bjorn Hellegren, Sweden – 70
Matt Jones, Australia – 70
Julian Perico, Peru – 70
Kieran Vincent, Zimbabwe – 70
Rattanon Wannasrichan, Thailand – 70
Cory Crawford, Australia – 71
Travis Smyth, Australia – 71
Christopher Wood, Australia – 71
Jose Islas, Mexico – 72
Miguel Tabuena, Philippines – 72
Sadom Kaewkanjana, Thailand – 73
Danthai Boonma, Thailand – 76 

ROUND 3 NOTES

AK’S LAST PUTT: The lengthy par-saving putt by Anthony Kim on the final hole Saturday took its time to drop, as it circled the lip of the cup before falling.

“Nice to see it actually go in as opposed to go out,” Kim said. “But that’s just the way the game goes. Sometimes you have six months where balls are lipping out, and you have six months where the balls are lipping in.

“Hopefully I’ve had enough lip outs now where they’ll start falling my way, and I believe that’s going to happen.”