Joaquín Niemann shot a 64 to maneuver up the leaderboard and tie Dustin Johnson for the second-round lead at LIV Golf Singapore on Saturday.
Johnson, the first-round chief, recorded a spherical of 68 to observe his opening-round 63. He and Niemann sit at 11-under 131 for the match, three photographs forward of Lucas Herbert (66 on Saturday), Jason Kokrak (66), Cameron Tringale (67) and Sebastián Muñoz (68) at Sentosa Golf Membership.
Johnson’s 4Aces GC additionally rose to 20-under, taking a five-stroke lead over Phil Mickelson‘s HyFlyers GC within the group competitors. Sergio Garcia‘s Fireballs GC, searching for a 3rd consecutive group title, are eight strokes again.
Niemann, of Chile, combined eight birdies and a bogey within the second spherical. He and Johnson will play within the leaders’ group within the ultimate spherical for the primary time since 2022 in Boston, a match received by Johnson when he holed an eagle putt on a playoff gap.
Each Niemann and Johnson have three LIV match wins to go together with a number of group victories. Niemann has one win this season, capturing the title at LIV Adelaide.
“It is at all times enjoyable enjoying with DJ,” Niemann stated. “I am excited for that tomorrow.”
So is Johnson.
“Clearly I am in a superb place with an opportunity to win however have to exit and … play actually good,” Johnson stated. “Clearly there’s a variety of actually good gamers proper across the lead, so nothing is protected.”
Kokrak, within the group three photographs again at 134, would proceed a profitable streak by members of Smash GC with a person title. Teammates Talor Gooch (2023) and captain Brooks Koepka (2024) received the previous two seasons in Singapore.
“Good vibes with two teammates which have already received right here,” Kokrak stated. “I do know the golf course effectively sufficient. I do know what to do. It is simply going on the market and really doing it.”
On the group facet, Mickelson’ HyFlyers have but to win a title. They completed third final week in Hong Kong, with Mickelson in third within the participant standings to make his first LIV podium.
Tringale, one other participant within the race for the person title, stated he needs a victory simply as a lot for the HyFlyers, which additionally has Andy Ogletree and Brendan Steele on its group.
“All of us simply need it so unhealthy,” Tringale stated. “We wish to show to people who we’re a reliable group. There isn’t any motive we will not do it. We’re all excited in regards to the likelihood.”
The 4Aces have seven victories to their credit score however none since 2023, a drought spanning 22 occasions.
“Final 12 months was in all probability just a little bit irritating, after which clearly it is nonetheless early this 12 months however it looks as if we’re all 4 enjoying fairly strong proper now,” Johnson stated of his group. “That is the important thing to profitable out right here is you have to have 4 gamers all enjoying effectively. If you are able to do that, then you definately give your self an opportunity to win.”
However he is not taking something as a right.
“The competitors is so good out right here,” Johnson stated. “The standard of gamers from high to backside is fairly excessive. To win as a group, it is actually powerful.”
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