Three seasons after first clashing for a LIV Golf individual title, Dustin Johnson and Joaquin Niemann are poised for another intense battle as they enter the final round of LIV Golf Singapore presented by Aramco.
Niemann, the Torque GC captain, delivered the best round on Saturday at Sentosa Golf Club, firing a 7-under 64 to share the lead with 4Aces GC captain Johnson, who followed up his opening-round 63 with a steady 3-under 68. Both sit atop the leaderboard at 11 under, three shots ahead of their closest challengers.
Johnson’s 4Aces GC holds a commanding five-stroke lead over Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC in the team competition, as they aim to break a 22-tournament winless streak. Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC sit eight shots off the pace, seeking their third consecutive tournament victory.
The upcoming final round marks the first time Johnson and Niemann have entered a LIV Golf event’s last day as co-leaders since Niemann’s LIV debut in Boston during the 2022 Invitational Series. That week, Johnson secured his first LIV Golf title with a dramatic eagle putt in a playoff that included Niemann.
“I still remember that day,” Niemann recalled. “It was my first week on LIV. He got it going, I got it going. I felt like I was the leader for a few holes, and he birdied back and then made an amazing putt on the playoff hole.”
While the two have competed in the same groups since, they have yet to face off with the lead on the line entering the final round. Both are among the most decorated players in LIV Golf history, each boasting three individual tournament victories and multiple team wins.
“It’s always fun playing with DJ,” Niemann said. “I’m excited for that tomorrow.”
Several competitors remain in the hunt, hoping for a breakthrough performance in the final round. Four players tied for third at 8 under are each seeking their first LIV Golf title.
Among them, Niemann’s Torque teammate Sebastián Muñoz continued his solid form with a 3-under 68, marking his eighth top-five finish in 11 rounds this season. Lucas Herbert of Ripper GC, the team’s top performer this year, carded a 5-under 66, keeping him in contention.
Smash GC’s Jason Kokrak, who also shot 66, hopes to join teammates Talor Gooch (2023) and captain Brooks Koepka (2024) as LIV Golf Singapore champions.
“Good vibes with two teammates that have already won here,” Kokrak said. “I know the golf course well enough. I know what to do. It’s just going out there and actually doing it.”
Cameron Tringale posted his second straight 67 to lead the resurgent HyFlyers. Last week in Hong Kong, Mickelson secured his first individual podium finish as the HyFlyers tied for third in the team competition.
Tringale is chasing his first individual win, while the HyFlyers are still seeking their maiden team title.
“We all just want it so bad,” Tringale said. “We want to prove to people that we’re a legitimate team. There’s no reason we can’t do it. We’re all excited about the chance.”
Once the dominant force in LIV Golf, the 4Aces are eager to reclaim their glory. They won five times—including the Team Championship—in the 2022 season, followed by two wins in 2023, before their recent drought.
“The competition is so good out here,” Johnson said. “The quality of players from top to bottom is pretty high. To win as a team, it’s really tough.”
Outdueling Niemann, who already secured a victory this season in Adelaide, will be another major challenge.
“He’s been playing great this season,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be a tough challenge tomorrow.”
Team Standings After Round 2
- 1. 4ACES GC (-20) (Pieters 67, Johnson 68, Varner III 70, Reed 73; Rd. 2: -6)
- 2. HYFLYERS GC (-15) (Tringale 67, Mickelson 68, Steele 68, Ogletree 76; Rd. 2: -5)
- T3. FIREBALLS GC (-12) (Puig 69, Ancer 70, Garcia 70, Masaveu 70; Rd. 2: -5)
- T3. TORQUE GC (-12) (Niemann 64, Muñoz 68, Ortiz 73, Pereira 79; Rd. 2: Even)
- 5. LEGION XIII (-9) (McKibbin 67, Rahm 70, Surratt 70, Hatton 73; Rd. 2: -4)
- 6. IRON HEADS GC (-8) (Na 67, Jang 69, Le 69, Catlin 73; Rd. 2: -6)
- T7. CRUSHERS GC (-5) (DeChambeau 65, Casey 69, Howell III 72, Lahiri 72; Rd. 2: -6)
- T7. SMASH GC (-5) (Kokrak 66, Koepka 69, McDowell 71, Gooch 74; Rd. 2: -4)
- T7. RIPPER GC (-5) (Herbert 66, Jones 70, Smith 70, Leishman 76; Rd. 2: -2)
- 10. STINGER GC (-4) (Oosthuizen 70, Schwartzel 70, Grace 72, Burmester 73; Rd. 2: +1)
- 11. RANGEGOATS GC (-2) (Campbell 67, Wolff 67, Watson 74, Uihlein 76; Rd. 2: Even)
- 12. MAJESTICKS GC (+15) (Poulter 71, Stenson 71, Horsfield 74, Westwood 75; Rd. 2: +7)
- 13. CLEEKS GC (+20) (Bland 70, Kjettrup 74, Kaymer 75, Meronk 75; Rd. 2: +10)
- Wild Cards: Lee 71, Kim 73
With Johnson and Niemann set for an electrifying final-round battle and multiple teams vying for victory, Sunday at Sentosa promises to deliver high drama in LIV Golf Singapore.
Credit Photo : Chris Trotman/LIV Golf
