Gooch and OKGC Lead After Rd. 2 at LIV Golf Korea as DeChambeau and Crushers GC Lurk Talor Gooch and his OKGC team hold a one-stroke advantage after the second round of LIV Golf Korea in Busan, with Bryson DeChambeau and Crushers GC trailing closely. Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf Individual Champion, shot a 7-under 63 on Friday to secure the 36-hole lead at 8 under par. Five players are tied for third at 5 under, including Ripper GC Captain Cameron Smith, Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann, HyFlyers GC’s Scott Vincent, 4Aces GC’s Thomas Pieters, and Crushers GC’s Charles Howell III. The Asiad Country Club, a shot-maker’s course, proved to be a strong fit for Gooch’s game. His round included eight birdies, starting with a chip-in on the par-4 ninth hole. He birdied six of his last eight holes to surge into the lead, despite acknowledging that his game still feels “not great.” Gooch, who entered the week ranked 29th in points, is projected to move to fifth in the standings with a win. His team, OKGC, is one stroke ahead of Crushers GC, with Ripper GC in third place. DeChambeau, the 18-hole co-leader, shot a 2-under 68 on Friday, relying on his putting to salvage the round. He hit only 8 of 14 fairways and 10 of 18 greens in regulation, admitting his performance “went sideways” compared to the previous day. Despite this, DeChambeau remains in contention, showcasing his ability to compete on courses that favor precision over power. The leaderboard highlights a mix of shot-makers and big hitters. Korean Golf Club’s Doyeob Mun, a newcomer to LIV Golf, is in solo seventh after two rounds, while Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC is tied for eighth. Mun, the current KPGA Tour points leader, expressed excitement about competing against top-tier players and hopes to capitalize on his opportunity.#bryson_dechambeau #crushers_gc #talor_gooch #okgc #liv_golf_korea
“Let’s do it”: Bryson DeChambeau Challenges Tiger Woods to LIV vs. TGL Match Bryson DeChambeau has proposed a high-profile showdown between his LIV Golf team and Tiger Woods’ TGL squad, suggesting a grudge match could elevate team golf’s profile. The idea comes as the sport continues to experiment with team formats, with LIV Golf and TGL emerging as major players in the shift from individual to team competition. DeChambeau, a vocal advocate for team golf, believes such rivalries could attract new fans and reshape the sport’s future. DeChambeau is currently in South Africa for LIV Golf’s first tournament in the country, where his Crushers GC team is set to compete. During a pre-tournament press conference, he reiterated his belief that team golf could become a central part of the sport’s identity. “I do think there’s an opportunity in the future for team golf to be next to the forefront of golf, with all the — even the majors and whatnot,” he said. While he acknowledged that team events like the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup remain the pinnacle, he argued that rivalries between teams could create new excitement. The proposed match between DeChambeau’s Crushers and Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links team would take the form of an 18-hole, 4-on-4 stroke-play showdown. DeChambeau envisioned the event as a high-profile spectacle, potentially broadcast on platforms like Netflix to draw in sports fans unfamiliar with golf. “Imagine a scenario where we’re going up against Jupiter Links on an 18-hole showcase,” he said. “It’d be fun. Show them who’s the best, who’s the best team in the world.” DeChambeau also drew a comparison between golf and football, highlighting the disparity in audience sizes.#bryson_dechambeau #liv_golf #crushers_gc #tiger_woods #jupiter_links
Equipment changes for Aramco LIV Golf Singapore LIV Golf players face their most demanding test yet at the Sentosa Golf Club during the Aramco LIV Golf Singapore event. The course is known for its challenging layout, requiring precision and adaptability from competitors. This week, 51 equipment adjustments are expected, bringing the total number of changes recorded this year to 351. The following highlights key modifications across various categories. In the wedges category, players are switching from PING S159 models to Bettinardi HLX 5.0 Forged for both 50° and 56° wedges. The 50° wedge is also bent to 49°, while the 56° is adjusted to 54°, aiming to enhance spin control on the course’s difficult greens. This change is particularly significant for the Crushers GC captain, who will need to refine his short-game approach on Sentosa’s tricky surfaces. For the 4- and 5-iron clubs, Callaway X Forged is being replaced with Titleist T250. This shift is part of a broader strategy to improve mid-bag performance, offering greater control and precision on the strategic Serapong layout. Another iron update sees PING i230 replaced by PING i240, marking a return to a familiar setup for the Majesticks Golf Club co-captain following his recovery from an injury. This move aligns with his recent top-20 finish in Hong Kong. Wedge adjustments also include a switch from Callaway Opus to Callaway SP, designed to generate additional spin. This change complements the player’s all-Callaway woods and irons setup, enhancing short-game versatility. Meanwhile, the driver is upgraded from PING G430 to G440 after a broken head during the pro-am event, a reactive decision to improve stability off the tee. Putter changes are notable, with Scotty Cameron T 9.5 (Broomstick) replaced by Callaway Odyssey Jailbird Mini CH AI-Dual.#aramco #liv_golf #sentosa_golf_club #crushers_gc #majesticks_golf_club
