Coletta, Buchanan earn International Series exemptions

Australians Brett Coletta and Jack Buchanan have earned another chance to play for a LIV Golf berth with exemptions to all 10 events on the Asian Tour's International Series.

Taiwan's Lee Chieh-po hit the jackpot on Saturday when he birdied four of his last five holes to claim the sole LIV Golf spot on offer at the LIV Golf Promotions event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Lee, who also goes by the English name Max Lee, followed a 68 on Saturday morning with a seven-under 64 in the afternoon to reach 10 under and win by two strokes from fellow Asian Tour player Taichi Kho and Zimbabwe star Branden Grace.

Coletta and Buchanan tied for fourth at five under.

Players who finished in the top 10 get exemptions into all 10 tournaments on the International Series for next year, with one LIV Golf spot on offer via rankings there.

Colletta has three career wins, including two since 2023 on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

Buchanan was a two-time winner this year on the PGA Tour of Australasia and fourth on Order of Merit.

The week in Riyadh started with 92 players vying for the sole LIV slot, and the field was whittled to 20 for the final rounds on Saturday.

Lee becomes the first player from Taiwan to have full status in the Saudi-backed league and he hoped to inspite others.

"It means a lot for our players," Lee said. "LIV Golf, I think it's many players' dream. I go there and they will come."

Grace, who was relegated out of the league after a poor performance, also could be re-signed by the Stinger team on LIV.

Also among the top 10 were Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe, also relegated off LIV, and Ollie Schniederjans, a No.  amateur a decade ago whose PGA Tour hopes never materialised due to a series of injuries.

- with AAP