Joaquín Niemann and Dustin Johnson Share the Spotlight at LIV Golf Singapore
In the world of golf, few things are as thrilling as a leaderboard shake-up, and that’s exactly what happened at the LIV Golf Singapore event on Saturday. Joaquín Niemann, the talented golfer from Chile, delivered a stunning performance by shooting a 64, propelling him up the leaderboard to tie with the formidable Dustin Johnson for the second-round lead. This exciting development has set the stage for a nail-biting final round at the Sentosa Golf Club.
Dustin Johnson, who had already made waves as the first-round leader with an impressive 63, followed up with a solid round of 68. Both Johnson and Niemann now find themselves sitting comfortably at 11-under 131 for the tournament. This puts them three shots ahead of a group of talented golfers, including Lucas Herbert, Jason Kokrak, Cameron Tringale, and Sebastián Muñoz, who are all vying for the top spot.
In the team competition, Johnson’s 4Aces GC has surged to a commanding 20-under, taking a five-stroke lead over Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC. Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC, who are on the hunt for a third consecutive team title, are trailing by eight strokes. The competition is fierce, and every stroke counts as these teams battle it out for supremacy.
Joaquín Niemann’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He skillfully mixed eight birdies with a single bogey in the second round, showcasing his precision and determination. This marks the first time since 2022 in Boston that Niemann and Johnson will play in the leaders’ group in the final round. It’s worth noting that Johnson emerged victorious in that Boston tournament by sinking an unforgettable eagle putt on a playoff hole.
Both Niemann and Johnson have proven themselves as formidable competitors in the LIV Golf series, each boasting three tournament wins along with multiple team victories. Niemann has already tasted victory this season, having captured the title at LIV Adelaide. As the final round approaches, Niemann expressed his excitement about playing alongside Johnson, saying, “It’s always fun playing with DJ. I’m excited for that tomorrow.”
Johnson, too, is looking forward to the challenge. He stated, “Obviously I’m in a good position with a chance to win but need to go out and … play really good. Obviously there’s a lot of really good players right around the lead, so nothing is safe.”
Among the group of players three shots back at 134 is Jason Kokrak, who is eager to continue a winning streak by members of Smash GC with an individual title. His teammates, Talor Gooch and captain Brooks Koepka, have both tasted victory in Singapore in the past two seasons. Kokrak is optimistic, saying, “Good vibes with two teammates that have already won here. I know the golf course well enough. I know what to do. It’s just going out there and actually doing it.”
On the team side, Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers are still in pursuit of their first title. They recently finished third in Hong Kong, with Mickelson securing a third-place finish in the player standings, marking his first LIV podium. Cameron Tringale, another contender for the individual title, is equally determined to secure a victory for the HyFlyers. He stated, “We all just want it so bad. We want to prove to people that we’re a legitimate team. There’s no reason we can’t do it. We’re all excited about the chance.”
The 4Aces, despite their impressive record of seven victories, have not secured a win since 2023, enduring a drought spanning 22 events. Johnson remains optimistic about his team’s prospects, saying, “Last year was probably a little bit frustrating, and then obviously it’s still early this year but it seems like we’re all four playing pretty solid right now. That’s the key to winning out here is you’ve got to have four players all playing well. If you can do that, then you give yourself a chance to win.”
However, Johnson is not taking anything for granted. He acknowledged the high level of competition, stating, “The competition is so good out here. The quality of players from top to bottom is pretty high. To win as a team, it’s really tough.”
- Joaquín Niemann and Dustin Johnson lead at 11-under 131.
- 4Aces GC leads the team competition at 20-under.
- Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC trails by five strokes.
- Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC are eight strokes back.
As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on Niemann and Johnson as they battle it out for the top spot. With so much talent on display, it’s anyone’s game, and golf fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the thrilling conclusion to the LIV Golf Singapore event.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
