DeChambeau leads Cam Smith by a shot at LIV Golf Mexico

Ripper GC captain Cameron Smith lines up a putt on day two of LIV Golf Mexico City on Saturday. Image courtesy LIV Golf.

From a Correspondent

Mexico City: Bryson DeChambeau is arguably golf’s biggest hitter, Cameron Smith arguably the sport’s best putter. On Sunday at LIV Golf Mexico City, they’ll face off for the first time in the final group of a LIV Golf final round.
 
Thanks to a birdie at the par-3 18th on Saturday, Crushers GC captain DeChambeau grabbed a one-shot lead over his Rippers GC opposite number Smith.

Both shot matching 5-under 66s while playing together during Saturday’s second round, a precursor to what promises to be a dramatic and entertaining finish at Club de Golf Chapultepec.
 
And if that wasn’t enough, the third member of the final threesome is Torque GC captain Joaquin Niemann, the current points leader. Niemann is three shots off the lead and tied for the low round of the day Saturday with a 7-under 64.
 
“Hopefully Bryson and I and Joaco can put on a good show,” said Smith.
 
Having spent 18 holes together on Saturday, and with 18 more set for Sunday, DeChambeau (13 under) and Smith (12 under) left no doubt how impressed they are with each other’s biggest strengths inside the ropes.
 
“It’s scary when he gets on the greens,” DeChambeau said. “Whenever he gets on the greens, I’m like, well, that’s a one-putt. Pretty awesome to watch him putt.”

Mutual admiration

“I wish I could drive the ball like him,” Smith said. “I often wonder how much better of a golfer I would be if I could drive the ball like him.”
 
Added DeChambeau: “Playing in the final group tomorrow will be a lot of fun. We’re going to go after it.”

DeChambeau and Smith are each seeking their first LIV Golf individual titles since 2023 when they combined to win four consecutive events near the end of the season.

Since then, DeChambeau has made 19 LIV Golf regular-season starts without a win; Smith’s drought is at 20.
 
Fortunately, they’ve enjoyed success from a team perspective, with the Crushers winning the 2023 team championship and the Rippers winning last year, with both teams also collecting multiple regular-season trophies.

The Rippers, looking for their second consecutive win after last month’s victory in Miami, own a two-shot lead over the Crushers, with Torque GC and Legion XIII tied for third.

While DeChambeau did win the US Open last year for his second career major, Smith has made 33 starts worldwide since his last victory. Both are extremely hungry for an individual LIV Golf champagne celebration on Sunday.
 
“I’m trying to win every week,” said DeChambeau, who also led after 36 holes in Miami before finishing solo fifth.

Game face

“Sometimes I don’t bring my best game, but I’m giving it my all and attempting my best every single time I show up and put a peg in the ground. Tomorrow is going to be no different.”
 
Said Smith, who is playing in the final group for the first time since his 2023 win in Bedminster: “Being in contention tomorrow and today was so much fun. It’s been a while for me to be at the top of the leaderboard, so I’m really enjoying it.”

Meanwhile, the next two players on the leaderboard have enjoyed plenty of success lately on LIV Golf.

Niemann has won twice this season and twice last year, while Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm, who is in solo fourth at 9 under, snatched the individual championship from Niemann last season with two late victories.
 
A win for Niemann on Sunday would put him in great shape to claim the US Open exemption spot awarded next month to the leading LIV Golf player. But he’ll have to overtake DeChambeau and Smith.
 
“The way Bryson and Cam are playing, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Niemann said. “It’s going to be special.” (courtesy LIV Golf)

Round 2 scores

1. Ripper GC -24 (Smith 66, Jones 67, Herbert 71, Leishman 71; Rd. 2 score: -9)
 
2. Crushers GC -22 (DeChambeau 66, Casey 69, Howell III 71, Lahiri 71; Rd. 2 score: -7)
 
T3. Torque GC -19 (Niemann 64, Muñoz 65, Ortiz 68, Pereira 72; Rd. 2 score: -15)
 
T3. Legion XIII -19 (Surratt 64, Hatton 67, Rahm 69, McKibbin 70; Rd. 2 score: -14)
 
5. 4Aces GC -18 (Johnson 66, Varner III 67, Pieters 69, Reed 70; Rd. 2 score: -12)
 
6. Smash GC -12 (Gooch 68, McDowell 70, Koepka 71, Kokrak 72; Rd. 2 score: -3)
 
7. Stinger GC -5 (Schwartzel 66, Grace 67, Burmester 68, Oosthuizen 73; Rd. 2 score: -10)
 
8. Majesticks GC +1 (Westwood 67, Stenson 69, Poulter 74, Horsfield 77; Rd. 2 score: +3)
 
9. Cleeks GC +3 (Bland 66, Kaymer 69, Kjettrup 73, Meronk 75; Rd. 2 score: -1)
 
10. Fireballs GC +4 (Ancer 69, Puig 70, Masaveu 73, Garcia 74; Rd. 2 score: +2)
 
11. RangeGoats GC +7 (Uihlein 71, Watson 71, Catlin 73, Wolff 77; Rd. 2 score: +8)
 
12. HyFlyers GC +8 (Mickelson 69, Tringale 73, Ogletree 74, Steele 74; Rd. 2 score: +6)
 
13. Iron Heads GC +27 (Lee 69, Na 72, Kozuma 74, Jang 85; Rd. 2 score: +16)

Wild Cards: C. Lee 74, Kim 77

Round 2 stats

Driving accuracy: Dustin Johnson, 85.71% (12 of 14 fairways hit)

Driving distance (for measured holes 7 & 12): Bryson DeChambeau, 394.6 yards avg. 

Longest drive (for measured holes 7 & 12): Bryson DeChambeau, 410.8 yards, 7th hole

Greens in regulation: Harold Varner III, Phil Mickelson, 88.89% (16 of 18 greens)

Scrambling: Matt Jones (4 of 4), Lee Westwood (4 of 4), Paul Casey (3 of 3), 100%

Putting: Abraham Ancer, 1.39 putts per hole

Bogey-free rounds: Matt Jones (67)

Also read: DeChambeau sets the pace at LIV Mexico, two share team lead