Red-hot Neimann, Torque maintain leads at LIV Golf New York

Joaquín Niemann of Torque GC tees off during the second round of LIV Golf New York at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Friday. Image courtesy LIV Golf.

From a Correspondent

Bedminster, New Jersey: Joaquín Niemann’s dominant start to LIV Golf New York shows no signs of slowing down. 

The Chilean fired a 6 under par 65 on Friday to reach 13 under after 36 holes, extending his lead to five shots without a single bogey on his card through two rounds at a Trump National Golf Club Bedminster layout that’s given fits to many in the field. 

At the halfway stage, Niemann ranks 1st in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee (+2.79) and 1st in Strokes Gained: Approach (+8.28). The ball striking masterclass has left the rest of the field with a lot of work to do to catch the all-time wins leader in LIV Golf history.  

But the Torque GC captain, seeking his second win in his last four league starts, isn’t interested in comparing his current form to last year. He doesn’t want to get stuck trying to simply duplicate the past.

“I feel like I’m never going to be the same as I was in 2025,” he said. “I feel like you’re always changing. You’re always evolving and you’re always a different person. 

“In 2025, I’ve played amazing golf, had five wins on LIV. Probably not the best results in major. But I feel I’m a better player now. I feel like I have matured a lot more and whenever time goes on, there’s always something to learn.

“Obviously I’ve been in this situation before, but like I say, I feel like every situation is different to the other ones,” Niemann added.

New horizons

“There’s just experience that you can learn from. I’m just excited to go out there for the weekend and see what I can learn. I feel like there’s so much golf to play. There are so many shots to hit. 

“I’m just excited to have the opportunity to go and see my shots, try to deliver the best I can, and go from there.”

Lee Westwood put together his own statement round to move into solo second. The 53-year-old carded a 6 under 65 to reach 8 under through the first two rounds. Westwood credited a patient, methodical approach on a demanding golf course. 

“It’s a major championship style golf course,” Westwood said. “You break it down into small pieces. It just starts off with teeing it up and trying to get it in the fairway.”  

He also pointed to his putter as the difference-maker over the first two days. 

“I’m pleased with the way I’ve played, and delighted with the way I’ve putted. I’m seeing the lines and rolling the ball well, starting it right where I’m aiming a lot of the time.” 

Sergio Garcia matched Westwood’s 65 on Friday, climbing to 7 under and into solo third heading into the weekend. Garcia switched to a broomsticker putter this week, which is paying dividends thus far. It’s his iron play, however, that has been most impressive. 

The Fireballs GC captain ranks second in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach (+6.10).  

Tough ask

Both European legends realise that catching Niemann will be a difficult task – especially if the Chilean star keeps starting his rounds so strongly. In each of the first two days at Bedminster, he’s shot 5-under 30 on the front nine.

“Joaco is obviously a world-class player. For me, he’s top 20 in the world,” Westwood said. 

“When he’s on his game, he can run away with a tournament. But everybody is human, and everybody makes mistakes, and everybody feels pressure. So, we’ll just see what happens, really. I’ll just try and control what I can control.”

Added Garcia: “If Joaco keeps shooting 5- or 6-under every day, it’s going to be very difficult to catch him; it’s as simple as that. When Joaco gets going the right way … it feels like he can birdie pretty much every hole.”

Tom McKibbin and Harold Varner III both moved into a share of fourth at 6 under, with McKibbin backing up his opening 70 with a 66 and Varner following his 69 with a 67. 

Richard Bland had the round of the day, a bogey-free 7 under 64 that vaulted him into a tie for sixth at 5-under. The Cleeks GC veteran pointed to a complete performance tee to green. 

“Everything really, drove the ball pretty well, hit some good irons, the chances I gave myself I pretty much took,” Bland said. 

Key recoveries

“Also up and downed it a couple times when I needed to the last couple of holes, couple important up and downs there. Just trying to keep the momentum going into tomorrow, so I was happy.” 

In the team event, Niemann’s Torque GC continue to run away with it, extending their cumulative score to 9-under after a second straight low round as a team. 

Abraham Ancer added a 72 and Carlos Ortiz posted 71, keeping the supporting cast steady around Niemann’s individual dominance. 

HyFlyers GC held onto second at 4 under, with Scott Vincent’s second straight sub-70 round (68) leading the way. Lucas Herbert’s Ripper GC sit third at 2 under despite a quieter round from Herbert himself (71). 

Westwood’s Majesticks Golf Club climbed to fourth at 1 under, with Laurie Canter’s 70 backing up Westwood’s 65 as the team continue to make their push in front of the Bedminster crowd. (courtesy LIV Golf)

Leaderboards

Individual Top 10

1. (-13) – Joaquin Niemann, Torque (64-65)

2. (-8) – Lee Westwood, Majesticks (69-65)

3. (-7) – Sergio Garcia, Fireballs (70-65)

T4 (-6) – Tom McKibbin, Legion XIII (70-66); Harold Varner, OKGC (69-67)

T6 (-5) – Richard Bland, Cleeks (73-64); Paul Casey, Crushers (70-67); Scott Vincent, HyFlyers (69-68); Lucas Herbert, Ripper (66-71)

T10 (-4) – Thomas Pieters, 4Aces (68-70); Ian Poulter, Majesticks (66- 72)

Team Top 3

1. (-9) – Torque GC (Niemann 64-65, Ancer 71-72, Ortiz 71-71, Munoz 74-71; Rd. 2 score: -5)

2. (-4) – HyFlyers GC (Steele 68-74, Vincent 69-68, La Sasso 72-69, Tringale 74-70 ; Rd. 2 score: -3)

3. (-2) – Ripper GC (Herbert 66-71, Leishman 71-69, Smyth 71-71, Smith 75-72 ; Rd. 2 score: -1)

Day 2 stats

Driving Distance:Dean Burmester, 315.7-yard avg.

Longest Drive: Dean Burmester, 331.7 yards (18th hole). Official measured drives taken only on holes 15 and 18.

Driving Accuracy: Yosuke Asaji, 100% (14 of 14)

Greens in Regulation: Joaquin Niemann, Paul Casey, 88.89% (16 of 18)

Scrambling:Branden Grace (8 of 8), Richard Bland (5 of 5), Scott Vincent (3 of 3), Joaquin Niemann (2 of 2), Paul Casey (2 of 2), 100%

Fewest Putts:Talor Gooch, 23

Bogey-free rounds: Richard Bland (64), Joaquin Niemann (65), Paul Casey (67), Scott Vincent (68), Branden Grace (69),

Also read: Neimann, Torque hold solo lead on day one at LIV Golf New York