Niemann takes six-shot LIV Golf UK lead

Stimpmeter · July 27, 2025, 7:00am

Torque GC captain Joaquín Niemann fired an eight-under 63 in Saturday’s second round at LIV Golf UK by JCB to seize a commanding six-stroke lead over Bubba Watson in the individual standings and propel his team to the top of the leaderboard.

Niemann, chasing his fifth LIV Golf title of the season, is 14 under through 36 holes following rounds of 65 and 63. The Chilean leads the field in both driving distance and greens in regulation — hitting all 18 greens in Saturday’s round and missing just two on Friday — while also gaining strokes with a putter that has recently been inconsistent.

“I’ve been playing great. I’ve been hitting my shots, hitting my lines on the putter — they’ve been going in,” said Niemann, who came within one shot of the course record at JCB Golf & Country Club. “All I’m thinking about is what I’m doing right now, having a great time out on the golf course. Everything else is going to take care of itself.”

With one round to play, Niemann sits in pole position in the individual championship race and could move nearly 50 points clear of his closest challenger if current projections hold — giving him the chance to clinch the title at LIV Golf’s next event in Chicago.

Torque GC lead the team competition at 22 under, three ahead of defending LIV Golf UK champions Legion XIII, as they aim for their first team victory since 2023.

Niemann’s dominant showing comes a week after missing the cut at The Open. The world No 6 has since made changes to his support staff, including replacing his caddie.

“It’s been a little weird the last two, three weeks,” Niemann said. “There’ve been a few movements on my team. At the same time, it is what it is. I’m really grateful for the two people who are no longer with me.”

LIV Golf UK concludes Sunday at JCB Golf & Country Club, with Niemann aiming to cap off a clinical display with both individual and team honours in sight.

His closest pursuers know that catching Niemann – who won earlier this year in Adelaide, Singapore, Mexico City and Virginia – will be a very difficult task.

“It’s his golf tournament to win as of right now,” said Watson, the RangeGoats GC captain who shot a 68 that leaves him at 8 under. “If he goes out and plays half of what he’s doing today, he wins it. We’ve got to shoot 10 under or something like that.”

Added Crushers GC’s Paul Casey, who’s at seven under and tied for third with Legion XIII’s Caleb Surratt and Cleeks GC’s Adrian Meronk: “When a guy is ahead, you go, could I be there if I eliminate my mistakes? Even if I eliminate every single mistake I’ve made, I’m still not there. That’s pretty telling. That means the guy is playing unbelievable golf. You tip the cap, don’t you? It’s amazing stuff.”

If Niemann seals the deal Sunday, it would be his eighth individual win since the last time his Torque team won a tournament. But they’ll have to hold off Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII and Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers, the top two teams in the league this season, to sweep both trophies Sunday.

“We know we’re due for a win,” Niemann said. “We know we can do it. We’ve been close for a few chances. I think it’s going to be an exciting day for all of us tomorrow.”

Photo: LIV Golf

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