Grace shares LIV Golf UK lead

Stimpmeter · July 26, 2025, 1:15pm

Joaquin Niemann opened his LIV Golf UK campaign in style on Friday, carding a bogey-free six-under 65 to grab a share of the first-round lead alongside Poland’s Adrian Meronk and South Africa’s Branden Grace.

Playing at JCB Golf & Country Club, the Torque GC captain – who leads the season-long standings – made four birdies in his opening six holes and added two more on the back nine to position himself perfectly for the weekend.

Niemann, a four-time winner this season, is looking to maintain his edge over Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau heading into next month’s regular-season finale in Indianapolis.

Rahm, last year’s LIV Golf UK champion, opened with an even-par 71 to sit tied for 32nd, while Crushers GC captain DeChambeau is tied for 11th after a 68.

Based on current projections, Niemann would leave England with a 44-point cushion over Rahm, securing the top spot heading into Indianapolis, which will determine the individual champion.

“I’m in a really privileged position being chased by Jon and Bryson,” said Niemann. “It just makes me a better athlete. I like that pressure.”

While Niemann is locked in a title race, co-leaders Grace and Meronk are chasing different goals.

Grace, battling through a season plagued by wrist issues and time spent in the drop zone (49th and below in points), continued his resurgence with a confident round.

The Stinger GC veteran birdied three of his first four holes and finished strongly to match Niemann’s 65.

The South African tied for fourth earlier this month in Andalucía and has now played himself back into contention for a spot in the league next year.

Meronk, meanwhile, returned to the form that saw him win the season-opener in Riyadh. The Cleeks GC player made four birdies in his last five holes for his best score in 25 LIV rounds.

“Finally, I’m enjoying myself on the course again,” said Meronk. “It’s great to be back in this position. I’m looking forward to the weekend and the final stretch of the season.”

A shot behind the leaders are Majesticks GC co-captain Lee Westwood, RangeGoats GC captain Bubba Watson and Carlos Ortiz, Niemann’s teammate at Torque. The team leaderboard is tightly packed, with defending UK champions Legion XIII tied with Stinger GC and Torque GC on 11 under.

Six other teams are within five shots of the lead.

Westwood, who tied an Open Championship record with a back-nine 29 at Royal Portrush last week, kept his momentum going and thrilled home fans once again. He is one of six Englishmen in the field, all of whom were met with rousing support from the JCB galleries.

“It feels like our home event,” said Westwood, who played alongside Majesticks teammates Ian Poulter and Sam Horsfield. “It’s always nice to perform in front of home fans.”

Crushers GC’s Paul Casey and Legion XIII’s Tyrrell Hatton, both of England, opened with 67s to sit tied for seventh. Hatton was runner-up to Rahm in this event last season and was especially pleased with the atmosphere around the par-three 14th.

“It’s a fun atmosphere,” said Hatton. “There were a lot of people out there, and the music was good too. I think most of us probably enjoyed a sing-along down that hole.”

JCB Golf & Country Club is hosting the event for a second consecutive year and is already confirmed to return as a host venue next season.

Photo: LIV Golf

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