RD. 2 News and Notes: Chacarra credits life lesson

HONG KONG - Fireballs GC's Abraham Ancer shot 8-under 62 to take the individual lead at LIV Golf Hong Kong, and help give his team the lead in the process. Here are some other news and notes from the second round at Hong Kong Country Club.

RELATED: ANCER, FIREBALLS IN COMMAND THROUGH TWO ROUNDS IN HONG KONG

CHACARRA’S LIFE LESSON: After a slow start to his season, young Fireballs GC star Eugenio Chacarra said a conversation on Tuesday is paying immediate dividends, putting him in a better frame of mind as he chases his second career LIV Golf victory on Sunday.

“I got a big life lesson that I feel I needed to hear, and I don't think I was going the right way,” said the 23-year-old Chacarra, who won LIV Golf Bangkok in 2022 in just his fifth pro start. “I wasn't enjoying golf. I just know I wasn't having fun playing golf. It's a sport I've loved since I was little, and how I've been acting – not just on the golf course, just outside, as well – It's been tough.”

Chacarra declined to name the person but called her a “special person” who “helped me understand what I was doing wrong, what's been going on, and she just told me things I needed to hear and just changed my life of how to see things.”

After making a splash in 2022, Chacarra finished 32nd in points last season, although he did win his second pro tournament in August at the 2023 St Andrews Bay Championship on the Asian Tour’s International Series.

“I think there's not a lot of people that can say they're playing professional golf at the highest level, so just trying to enjoy the moment,” Chacarra explained about his improved perspective. “You never know what's going to happen next. I'm kind of seeing things like that, and it's obviously helping me a lot to just have fun out there again. …

“It helped me to see things the right way, and just to become a better person. Like I said, I think it changed my life, and hopefully I can keep going in this path.”

RAHM BATTLES BACK: Legion XIII Captain Jon Rahm suffered a triple bogey on the par-4 18th late in Friday’s round but bounced back with a 6-under 64 on Saturday to keep him within striking distance of leader Abraham Ancer.

“Yesterday and today, I hit the ball extremely well,” said Rahm. “Maybe not great with the driver today but everything else has been firing about as good as I want it to be. One bad swing. one unfortunate moment of bad luck that cost maybe two extra shots.”

Rahm, the only player to finish in the top 10 in each of the first three events, starts the final round six shots back.

“Hopefully I can keep doing what I’m doing,” he said. “Post a low score tomorrow and give Abraham a little bit of a scare.”

VARNER’S TRUE RESPONSE: Harold Varner III finished last in the season opener at Mayakoba, his first start after joining 4Aces GC in an offseason trade. He played better in his next two starts but did not finish inside the top 24 in points.

His first two rounds this week are more reflective of his game. He’s made just one bogey, is tied for third in the field in putting, and has hit 75% of his fairways.

“I don’t think I had a great start to the year, but I think that shows true character is how you respond to it,” he said. “That’s the beauty of golf. I love responding. …

“Right, we’re just doing what we’re supposed to do, be as resilient as possible, have fun doing it. I’ve got my mojo back.”

KIM’S BEST SCORE SINCE HIS RETURN: Wild Card player Anthony Kim shot a 2-over 72 on Saturday, the best score of his five rounds since joining LIV Golf after a nearly 12-year retirement.

An encouraging sign this week is Kim’s putting. Through two rounds, he’s needed just 52 putts. That’s ties for third in the field in putting average.

Driving accuracy: Danny Lee, 92.86% (13 of 14 fairways hit)

Driving distance: Thomas Pieters, 329.4 yards avg.

Longest drive: Thomas Pieters, 352.1 yards, 13th hole

Greens in regulation: Abraham Ancer, 100% (18 of 18 greens)

Putting: Cameron Smith, 1.39 putts per hole