Niemann, Johnson lead LIV Golf Singapore

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, following a gap spherical 63. He and Niemann sit at 11-under 131 for the event, three pictures 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, in search of 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 event received by Johnson when he holed a eagle putt on a playoff gap.

Each Niemann and Johnson have three LIV event wins to go along with a number of group victories. Niemann has one win this season, capturing the event at LIV Adelaide.

“It is all the time enjoyable taking part in with DJ,” Niemann mentioned. “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 mentioned. “Clearly there’s a number of actually good gamers proper across the lead, so nothing is protected.”

Kokrak, within the group three pictures 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 mentioned. “I do know the golf course properly sufficient. I do know what to do. It is simply going on the market and really doing it.”

On the group aspect, 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, mentioned he desires 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 mentioned. “We need to show to those who we’re a authentic group. There is not any purpose 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 most likely just a little bit irritating, after which clearly it is nonetheless early this 12 months, however it looks as if we’re all 4 taking part in fairly stable proper now,” Johnson mentioned of his group. “That is the important thing to profitable out right here is you have to have 4 gamers all taking part in properly. If you are able to do that, then you definitely 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 mentioned. “The standard of gamers from high to backside is fairly excessive. To win as a group, it is actually powerful.”