Chicago Recap: Relegated Vincent promises to fight his way back into LIV Golf

BOLINGBROOK, IL - Scott Vincent looked like doing something that he did in the final regular season tournament last year in Jeddah, but the Iron Heads member could not make a final push into the Open Zone at LIV Golf Chicago.

At Bolingbrook Golf Club, Vincent needed to finish at least inside the Top 20 - and preferably better than Top 15 - to get out of the relegation zone. The Zimbabwean was 3-under through his first 15 holes on a tough Sunday, but instead of a birdie in his last three holes, he made a bogey and finished tied 23rd. That kept him in 50th place in the season-long standings after the regular season, and he will be relegated.

In 2023, Vincent stole the headlines in Jeddah with his fourth place finish that elevated him nine spots to No. 22 and inside the Lock Zone with magical weekend rounds.

It was not to be this time, but that did not dampen the fighting spirit of the one of the most well-liked players in the League.

“It obviously hasn’t been a great year for me, but I have thoroughly enjoyed playing the last few years on LIV Golf and I feel like I am a much better golfer competing against such good players,” said Vincent.

“Obviously, I am going to try my best to get back in the League. Life goes on and I will work hard to be a better player when I get the next opportunity.”

It was a bitter-sweet moment for Iron Heads as they put up a much improved performance with three players inside the points. Jinichiro Kazuma continued his good form from a win last month in Japan Golf Tour and was tied 15th at 2-under, while Vincent and Captain Kevin Na were tied 23rd at even-par.

Danny Lee, who started well with two birdies in his first two holes on Friday before falling back to a 3-over 73, battled back to tied 30th place at 1-over through rounds of 68 and 70 over the weekend.

Na was the best-placed Iron Heads player at No. 33, while Lee was 38th and Kazuma finished in the 45th place.

Iron Heads finished one place outside the points at 9th position at 5-under total and will head to the Team Championship in Dallas ranked 13th..

STAT REVIEW
Field ranking in parentheses

Jinichiro Kozuma (T15th) 71-70-67-208

Fairways Hit - 22 (T32)
Driving Distance Avg. - 325.7 (35)
Greens in Regulation - 35 (T9)
Total Putts - 81 (T10)
Total Birdies - 12 (T11)

Scott Vincent (T23rd) 71-71-68-210

Fairways Hit - 21 (T36)
Driving Distance Avg. - 322.6 (38)
Greens in Regulation - 31 (T33)
Total Putts - 82 (T15)
Total Birdies - 8 (T38)

Kevin Na (T23rd) 72-70-68-210

Fairways Hit - 25 (T12)
Driving Distance Avg. - 313.8 (51)
Greens in Regulation - 31 (T33)
Total Putts - 83 (T19)
Total Birdies - 8 (T38)

Danny Lee (T30th) 73-68-70-211

Fairways Hit - 23 (T26)
Driving Distance Avg. - 320.5 (45)
Greens in Regulation - 35 (T9)
Total Putts - 83 (T19)
Total Birdies - 11 (T19)