There have been plenty of big names who have hoisted a trophy through the LIV Golf League’s first two seasons, like Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith. But there hasn’t been a leaderboard as good as the one we’ve got in Singapore with 18 to play.
Sentosa Golf Club has provided great theater through two rounds of LIV Golf Singapore, as last week’s winner in Adelaide, Talor Gooch, and Sergio Garcia are tied for the lead at 13 under. Koepka, the only two-time winner on LIV, is a shot behind. Then there’s Smith at 11 under and Phil Mickelson, who at one time held the lead early in the second round after a hole-out eagle, at 10 under.
“Obviously the caliber of players here, it just shows,” Garcia said of the packed leaderboard. “On a day like today where there wasn’t much wind the course was gettable. We were able to pick the ball up on the fairway, so that always probably makes it one or two shots easier.”
PHIL HOLE OUT FOR THE LEAD! #LIVGolf @hyflyers_gc pic.twitter.com/Fv2dTJimVU
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) April 29, 2023
Preferred lies were in play during round two because of wet course conditions. And Garcia, Gooch and others took advantage.
Garcia fired a bogey-free 7-under 64 to move into a tie for the lead. His best finish since moving to LIV Golf are a pair of fourths last season in Jeddah and Chicago.
Meanwhile, Gooch is looking to join Koepka as a two-time winner and the first back-to-back winner. He carded seven birdies and a lone bogey, signing for 6-under 65 to remain tied for the lead.
LIV Golf Singapore: Photos
“Sergio and I had a bunch of fun out there and Cam as well,” Gooch said. “Our group played really well again, and we were just kind of feeding off each other the whole day. It felt like Cam kind of got off running, and then I kind of came running in the middle, and then Sergio got it going on the back.”
Gooch is 32 under in his past five rounds.
Koepka shot 65 for the second straight day to sit a shot behind and earn a final-group tee time on Sunday. Mickelson was 5 under thru 5 holes and finished his day at 5 under for the round, but he’s solo seventh. Scott Vincent and Cameron Tringale are tied for fourth at 11 under with Smith, who is finding his form after a slow start to the season.
The second round will air on the CW from 1-6 p.m. Saturday. However, final-round action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET Saturday in the United States. The final round will also air on tape delay Sunday.
