Talor Gooch seized the second‑round lead at LIV Golf Korea on Friday, carding an astonishing 7‑under 63 at Busan’s Asiad Country Club and moving to 8‑under overall. The American’s eight birdies – six of them on the front nine – and a solitary bogey on the 5th hole propelled him one stroke clear of Bryson DeChambeau, underscoring the tight battle shaping the inaugural Korean leg of the LIV circuit.
Gooch’s fireworks marked the eighth sub‑63 round of his LIV career and the seventh occasion he has commanded the 36‑hole leaderboard. The four‑time tour winner finished with a birdie chip on the par‑4 ninth and then birdied six of his last eight holes, a run that signalled he is still a genuine threat even after a modest start to his points campaign.
“I’m still feeling the game settle, but the work we’re putting in is pointing us in the right direction,” the 29‑ranked player said, acknowledging his current points position could catapult him into the top five with a victory. “We’ll keep the train rolling and see where it takes us.”
DeChambeau, who co‑led after round one, posted a 68 to sit alone on 7‑under. Despite only hitting eight of 14 fairways and 10 of 18 greens in regulation, the former PGA champion praised his putting: “My putting saved me today,” he admitted, adding that his driving and iron play felt “sideways” compared with yesterday’s performance.
The American’s remarks highlighted the distinctive nature of Asiad Country Club. Gooch labelled the venue a “shot‑maker’s course,” contrasting it with the classic “bomber’s paradises” that suit DeChambeau’s power game. “It doesn’t need 8 000 yards to be a solid test,” he noted, emphasizing the strategic nuance required to excel here.
LIV Golf Korea leaderboard after round two – focus on LIV Golf Korea competition
| Position | Player | Round 1 | Round 2 | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Talor Gooch (OKGC) | 68 | 63 | 8‑under |
| 2 | Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers) | 71 | 68 | 7‑under |
| T‑3 | Cameron Smith (Ripper) | 68 | 68 | 5‑under |
| T‑3 | Joaquín Niemann (Torque) | 70 | 69 | 5‑under |
| T‑3 | Thomas Pieters | 70 | 69 | 5‑under |
| T‑3 | Scott Vincent | 71 | 70 | 5‑under |
| T‑3 | Charles Howell III | 72 | 70 | 5‑under |
| T‑8 | Doyeob Mun (Korean GC) | 68 | – | 4‑under |
| T‑8 | Sergio Garcia (Fireballs) | 70 | – | 4‑under |
The table makes clear that Gooch’s 63 created a one‑stroke cushion over DeChambeau, while a tight pack of five players linger at five under, all within striking distance as the tournament progresses.
Five competitors share the third‑place tie at 5‑under, featuring Australian Cameron Smith, Chilean Joaquín Niemann, Belgian Thomas Pieters, Zimbabwean Scott Vincent, and American Charles Howell III. Their consistent rounds keep the leaderboard dynamic, with any of them capable of making a charge on the final day.
Team standings echo the individual drama. Gooch’s OKGC sits atop the team table at 14‑under, edging DeChambeau’s Crushers by a single stroke and maintaining a three‑shot lead over Ripper GC. The margin emphasizes how pivotal each player’s performance is to the broader club battle, especially as the event moves toward its climax.
The Korean leg also marks DeChambeau’s quest for a second LIV win of the season, following a missed cut at the PGA Championship earlier in the month. His power game, while occasionally hampered by accuracy, remains a formidable weapon on a course that demands precision as much as distance.
As we move into the final round, the narrative centres on whether Gooch can convert his lead into a victory that propels him up the points ladder, or if DeChambeau’s resurgence will force a dramatic showdown. The blend of power hitters and shot‑makers at Asiad Country Club promises an exhilarating finish that could reshape the LIV Golf Korea leaderboard and set the tone for the remaining events on the tour.