INCHEON, South Korea – Bryson DeChambeau is the solo chief after 36 holes for a record-setting third consecutive LIV Golf match. The drama on Sunday now focuses on whether or not he’ll convert his newest alternative right into a victory.
The Crushers GC captain shot his second consecutive bogey-free spherical at LIV Golf Korea introduced by Coupang Play, carding a second-round 6-under 66 for a 13-under whole and a four-shot lead over Cleeks GC’s Richard Bland.
[MORE: What is LIV Golf? Format, everything to know about the 2025 season]
It’s the fifth 36-hole lead that DeChambeau has held since becoming a member of LIV Golf and can be his largest benefit. However DeChambeau has but to capitalize on any of these leads, together with the 2 earlier LIV Golf tournaments.
Final month in Miami, he led by two pictures coming into the ultimate spherical however was overtaken by Ripper GC’s Marc Leishman. Final week in Mexico Metropolis, he led by one earlier than Joaquin Niemann rallied on Sunday. DeChambeau’s two LIV Golf wins in 2023 got here when having to play catch-up to start out the ultimate spherical.
Requested what he should do Sunday at Jack Nicklaus Golf Membership Korea to shut out a match that’s clearly inside his grasp, DeChambeau replied: “Simply be a child on the market. Have a number of enjoyable. Return to my roots. Simply get it achieved.”
Smash GC would additionally wish to get it achieved on Sunday for his or her first staff win of the season. Though 18-hole co-leader Talor Gooch fell again after a 71 on Saturday, his teammates picked him up. Jason Kokrak joined Gooch in a tie for third after capturing a 67, whereas Graeme McDowell shot 69 and captain Brooks Koepka shot 70.
[MORE: LIV Golf Korea preview: Can Brooks Koepka get his first win of the season?]
The staff’s 11-under whole moved them to 21 beneath for the primary two rounds, six pictures away from the three groups tied for second — Torque GC, RangeGoats GC and DeChambeau’s Crushers.
“Together with myself, I do not assume BK, Graeme or Gooch have gotten off to an excellent begin [to the 2025 season] in any respect team-wise, individual-wise, form of collectively,” Kokrak mentioned. “So, trying to flip that round tomorrow.”
DeChambeau has been flawless the primary two days in Korea, notably off the tee with a formidable mixture of energy and accuracy. He leads the sphere with a 342.2-yard driving distance common and is tied for fourth in driving accuracy, hitting 25 of 28 fairways.
Amongst his taking part in companions Sunday is the 52-year-old Bland, creating a singular last group that features the reigning U.S. Open and U.S. Senior Open champions. Bland can’t match DeChambeau’s size and is aware of {that a} four-shot deficit might be tough to beat.
“This type of course is tailored for him,” Bland mentioned of DeChambeau. “I’ve in all probability obtained to shoot one thing in double digits to get wherever close to him.”
Stinger GC’s Dean Burmester is amongst these tied for third, 4 pictures behind DeChambeau. Burmester has an ace and three different hole-outs this week however was upset {that a} late bogey value him an opportunity to be within the last group.
Requested what it could take to catch DeChambeau, Burmester replied: “Drive it previous him, see if I can get into his head.” Then he added: “Simply kidding.”
It’s now right down to critical enterprise in Korea, notably for DeChambeau. Moreover his current LIV Golf near-misses, he additionally led final month’s Masters with 16 holes to play earlier than falling again. That current string provides him loads of motivation to hoist a trophy – or two together with his staff – on Sunday.
“Provided that we’re a world staff, it could be superior to win right here in Korea,” DeChambeau mentioned. “The followers are nice. I feel the Korean followers just like the Crushers. I do know they just like the Iron Heads somewhat bit extra.
“Hopefully we’re an in depth second, and hopefully we may give them some enjoyable for tomorrow.”
TEAM SCORES
LIV Golf’s new scoring format this season now includes all 4 scores now counting in each spherical within the staff competitors. Listed here are the outcomes and scores for every staff after Saturday’s Spherical 2 of LIV Golf Korea.
1. SMASH GC -21 (Kokrak 67, McDowell 69, Koepka 70, Gooch 71; Rd. 2 rating: -11)T2. TORQUE GC -15 (Ortiz 66, Muñoz 67, Niemann 71, Pereira 71; Rd. 2 rating: -13)T2. RANGEGOATS GC -15 (Watson 69, Wolff 69, Uihlein 71, M. Kim 72; Rd. 2 rating: -7)T2. CRUSHERS GC -15 (DeChambeau 66, Howell III 66, Casey 71, Lahiri 79; Rd. 2 rating: -6)5. STINGER GC -13 (Burmester 68, Schwartzel 68, Oosthuizen 71, Catlin 75; Rd. 2 rating: -6)6. LEGION XIII -10 (Rahm 66, Surratt 68, Hatton 70, McKibbin 74; Rd. 2 rating: -10)7. MAJESTICKS GC -6 (Horsfield 70, Westwood 70, Poulter 73, Stenson 73; Rd. 2 rating: -2)T8. 4ACES GC -5 (Pieters 67, Johnson 69, Reed 70, Varner III 74; Rd. 2 rating: -8)T8. RIPPER GC -5 (Smith 66, Herbert 67, Jones 74, Leishman 75; Rd. 2 rating: -6)10. CLEEKS GC -2 (Bland 69, Meronk 72, Kjettrup 74, Kaymer 77; Rd. 2 rating: +4)T11. HYFLYERS GC -1 (Steele 68, Tringale 69, Mickelson 70, Ogletree 72; Rd. 2 rating: -9)T11. IRON HEADS GC -1 (Kozuma 70, Na 70, Jang 71, Lee 77; Rd. 2 rating: E)13. FIREBALLS GC +1 (Puig 68, Masaveu 70, Garcia 72, Ancer 74; Rd. 2 rating: -4)Wild Playing cards: C. Lee 71. A. Kim 74
This piece is courtesy of Mike McAllister in partnership with LIV Golf.
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