Joaquin Niemann holds commanding lead ahead of final LIV Golf UK round in Staffordshire
Joaquin Niemann holds a commanding six-shot lead into the final day of LIV Golf UK action at the JCB Golf and Country Club near Uttoxeter.
The Chilean shot an impressive eight-under-par round of 63 on Saturday (round two) to move to 14-under, six shots ahead of Bubba Watson.
Niemann’s Torque GC team also enter Sunday’s round with a three-shot advantage over defending champions, Legion XII.
Paul Casey, Caleb Surratt, and Adrian Meronk are tied in third place ahead of Sunday’s round, at seven under.
Meanwhile, last year’s champion at JCB, Jon Rahm, is tied-14 at four-under-par, alongside home crowd favourites Tyrrell Hatton and Lee Westwood.
Niemann leads the field in driving distance as well as greens in regulation. The 26-year-old hit all 18 greens on Saturday.
Speaking after his impressive second round, the Torque GC captain said: ”Obviously it was a great round. I really enjoyed being out there, playing the golf I was playing. I had a good time.
“I made a lot of putts. I was laughing at it sometimes because I'm not used to seeing so many of those going in, and it's kind of cool to see that.
”Other than that, I hit some good shots. Everything felt pretty much under control, off the tee, irons, putting. Yeah, just pretty happy the way I've been going through the last two days.
The Torque GC team, that consists of Niemann, Mito Pereira, Sebastian Muñoz and Carlos Ortiz, is looking to claim their first win since 2023.
Asked what it would mean for him and his team to seal victory at the Staffordshire course, Niemann added: “It would mean a lot, obviously, between the whole team.
“We know we're in depth for a win. We know we can do it. We've been close for a few chances. Carlos has been playing great golf. Sebastian played amazing as well today. Mito is trending in the right direction. I feel like he's really close to putting in a good solid week.
“I think it's going to be an exciting day for all of us tomorrow, and hopefully see low scores from the four of us.”
The individual champion at JCB Golf and Country Club near Uttoxeter will take home £4 million, while the winning team will be awarded £3m.
