LIV Golf has poached many big names in the past two years. David Puig, however, was not one of them. Yet, today, the young athlete has managed to turn many heads toward himself. The reason: a win just hours ago at the IRS Prima Malaysian Open, beating a field of 150 players to emerge victorious at The Mines Resort & Golf Club not too long ago!

Despite this win being only his second professional victory, the 22-year-old has had a presence in the golf world for a while now, mostly thanks to his run with LIV Golf. And although he has yet to find a win on the Saudi Circuit, he made history as soon as the league began transfers for its teams.

David Puig was the first ever LIV Golf trade

Born on December 7, 2001, just outside of Barcelona in La Garriga, Spain, the athlete is currently a part of the Sergio Garcia-led Fireballs GC in the Saudi-backed league. But, interestingly, he had joined the circuit at the Joaquin Niemann-led Torque GC as an amateur back in 2022. However, he became a free agent following the end of 2023, owing to his placing himself at T31 on the season-ending leaderboard.

Now, enter 2024. David Puig became part of the first-ever trade between two teams in the PIF-funded league. He was switched out for Carlos Ortiz, who was a member of Fireballs GC and finished T15 on the leaderboard at the end of the year. Although winless, the Spaniard has finished a total of two times inside the top 10 at LIV. T4 at Greenbrier and T7 at Andalucia last year.

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On the Asian Tour, however, Puig has seen more luck. He clinched his first professional victory at the 2023 International Series Singapore, followed by his second win now at the Malaysian Open. With this recent 23-under 261 victory, he raked in a whopping $180,000 from the $1 million prize pool. What’s more, he also earned himself a spot for the Open Championship this year at the Royal Troon, which will make it his second major appearance of his career after a T39 at the 2023 U.S. Open.

Undoubtedly, this was a talented display of skill by the Spanish golfer; however, those who knew him back when he was an amateur wouldn’t be surprised by it at all. After all, he did dominate many big fields, even ranking in the top 10 world rankings!

The amateur golfing years of Puig

Before turning pro in 2022, the Spaniard was ninth in the World Amateur Rankings. The reason? Well, he was able to showcase remarkable golf as an amateur, allowing him to represent his country at the World Amateur Team Championship in Paris and finishing T4 while pushing his squad to a T5 win in the team standings. Besides, he was also able to help the Arizona State team reach the finals of the NCAA men’s golf championship.

Was that all? Not even close. When he used to attend ASU, the youngster was able to win three collegiate events, including a triumph at the 2021 Southwestern Invitational, along with finishing inside the top 10 a total of seven times in three seasons. In addition, the golfer also became a two-time All-American at Arizona State.

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Adding to his accolades, he was part of the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup team, the winning 2019 Continental Europe team at the Jacques Léglise Trophy, and the 2021 and 2022 Arnold Palmer Cup teams, among others. Well, these are but some of the many feats that the young golfer has raked in during his journey to the No. 9 spot on the World Amateur Rankings.

Puig in the 2024 LIV Golf season

Meanwhile, in the recent start to the PIF-funded league, he was able to card T17 and T41 finishes at Las Vegas and Mayakoba, respectively. His performances so far have landed him in 25th place on the 2024 leaderboard among the 54 golfers in the tournament.

Now, he will undoubtedly be hoping to carry forward the momentum from his recent win at the Malaysian Open and grab another trophy at LIV’s next event in Saudi Arabia. Regardless of whether he’s able to or not, however, one thing is clear: David Puig, the newest addition to the British Championship’s field this year, deserves to take a bow!

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