LIV Golf Las Vegas: Day Two
DeChambeau and Johnson surge into first: Going into Friday, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson were four back of the lead in a tie for 11th. In round two, both shot 62 to gain eight strokes to share the lead. DeChambeau carded nine birdies in his first 13 holes while Johnson was bogey-free with eight birdies. To round out the podium, Matthew Wolff finds himself tied for third at -9 with teammate Peter Uihlein. Wolff shot a 66 on Friday while Uihlein shot a 65. Jon Rahm joins Wolff and Uihlein in third with a bogey-free round to move up 19 places, shooting a 7 under par 63.
The rest of the top 10: Tied for sixth place at -8 are Smash GC teammates Jason Kokrak and Talor Gooch. Despite two early bogeys, Kokrak finished the day with an eagle. Gooch was 4 under par on the day with five birdies. In a tie for eighth at -7 are Paul Casey, Bubba Watson, Cameron Smith, and Laurie Canter. Casey was even par on the day with five birdies while Watson was 2 under par with four birdies. Smith moves up three spots to enter the top 10 on Saturday with a 4 under par 66. Laurie Canter, playing again as a wild card, continues to impress and was the biggest riser on day two. Canter shot a bogey-free 64 to move up 25 spots.
Aces and Goats tied for lead, Crushers still on the podium: The 4Aces and RangeGoats find themselves tied for the lead in the team competition at -26. Johnson makes it two days in a row now that an Ace ends the day in the lead while Patrick Reed’s round of 66 counts. Reed had a great Friday, finishing the day with six birdies after an opening round 72. Pat Perez started the day with four bogeys in the first six holes but finished strong with five birdies across the next ten holes. I am glad the 4Aces re-signed Perez this offseason, a favorite of mine on LIV. Uihlein’s score counts for the RangeGoats today with his impressive 65. Charles Howell III’s is also a new score that counts to help keep the Crushers on the podium. Howell III gained two strokes today to shoot 68. Smash GC is just off the podium after being in a tie for third but goes into Saturday with all players in the top 26 making a podium a strong possibility. After all, all four scores count on day three.
Big Risers and 51 players: Joining Laurie Canter, moving up 20+ spots are Richard Bland and Branden Grace, both moving up 21 spots into 12th place. 51 players head into the final at even or better with the top 10 only being 7 strokes away. Who will make themselves some more money on Saturday?
