Captain Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf)
Firing a 6-under 65, Bryson DeChambeau surged ahead at the Aramco LIV Golf Singapore on Friday. He claimed the solo lead at 10-under 132 and secured a three-stroke cushion over the chasing pack heading into the weekend at the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club.
Jon Rahm (Legion XIII), Louis Oosthuizen (Southern Guards GC), Thomas Detry (4Aces GC), and Richard Lee (Wild Card) share second place at 7-under 135, keeping the leaderboard race intense.
Strategic play and solid putting drove DeChambeau, captain of Crushers GC, despite a few missed opportunities. “I played great today. I had a few more opportunities out there that I didn’t capitalise on, but played plenty well and gave myself plenty of opportunities to go low,” he said.
As he looks ahead to the weekend, the American said his focus is on controlling what he can. “Focus on my golf, what I can control. I know it’s cliché, but you can’t get too wrapped up with what everybody else is doing, and making sure I’m starting it on my lines the way I need to and rolling the putts on my lines like I need to. Barring that, I think I can give myself a good chance this weekend,” he said.
Looking toward the final two rounds, the American noted areas for improvement. “I just need to start the ball on my line a little better. I’m starting it too far left and overdrawing it sometimes, and that’s cost me a few shots,” he said.
Reflecting on his overseas performances, DeChambeau has historically found success in Korea and Dubai. On playing in Asia, he remarked, “I like hot weather, I don’t like cold weather, but in Korea it was cold and rainy… Next week (LIV Golf South Africa) will be nice because I think we’re going to elevation. I feel like I’m a lot more strategic this week.”
With a 3-under 68, Rahm overcame a stretch of 11 consecutive pars before closing with a birdie on the 18th. “I felt really good. Started off great, those first two holes… The only ones that were really bad, I would say, were the second shot on 3, the tee shot on 7, and maybe the second shot on 13,” Rahm said.
Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf)
The weather could play a key role in Rahm’s performance. “If the storm hits, the greens could soften and open up more birdie opportunities. If not, I just need to keep playing solid golf and make a few more putts,” he said.
Posting a 4-under 67 for the day, Oosthuizen was all praises for the Serapong course and the quality of the greens. “You need to just grind it out the whole time… Greens are the best you’ll ever see. It’s nice to get to the green and feel like if you hit a good putt, it’s going in,” he said.
He acknowledged the challenge of playing with Rahm, calling him a world-class and consistent competitor.
Captain Louis Oosthuizen of Southern Guards GC. (Photo by Jon Ferrey/LIV Golf)
When asked about any stretch of holes that shaped his round, Oosthuizen focused on patience. “The ninth was a bad bogey, and then I had to par the tenth. Birdie on 11, bogey on 14… I was just hanging on and giving myself opportunities. On 16, I knew I could set up birdie chances on 17 and maybe an eagle on 18. Missed a tee shot in the bunker on 18, but still made the putt. There are plenty of birdie opportunities, but many holes can ruin your round. That’s just the type of golf course it is,” he said.
Thomas Detry of 4Aces, also at T2 with a 4-under 67, highlighted his adaptability across different course styles. “It’s nice proof to myself that my game is in the right place and that I can compete on every single golf course,” he said, praising Sentosa as both challenging and rewarding. Detry’s highlight came on the 18th hole, where a perfectly executed eagle putt capped off a resilient stretch of play.
Thomas Detry of 4Aces GC. (Photo by Pedro Salado/LIV Golf)
Asked about closing the gap on the leader over the final two rounds, Detry stressed consistency and smart course management. “Same mojo as I’ve had the last couple of weeks. It’s pretty tight at the top with quite a few players. Keep making birdies. The course is tricky in parts, but it definitely gives you chances. The par-5s are reachable, and a couple of short par-3s give you wedges in hand to take advantage, especially downwind. Managing those holes into the wind will be key tomorrow,” he said.
Leading Results
Individual Top 10
1 (-10) – Bryson DeChambeau, Crushers (67-65)
T2 (-7) – Thomas Detry, 4Aces (68-67); Louis Oosthuizen, Southern Guards (68-67); Jon Rahm, Legion XIII (67-68); Lee Westwood, Majesticks (67-68); Richard T. Lee, Wild Card (67-68)
T7 (-6) – Matthew Wolff, RangeGoats (68-68); Marc Leishman, Ripper (68-68); Charles Howell III, Crushers (68-68)
T10 (-5) – Carlos Ortiz, Torque (69-68); Scott Vincent, Wild Card (69-68); Joaquin Niemann, Torque (69-68)
Team Top 3
1 (-15) – Crushers (DeChambeau 65, Howell III 68, Lahiri 70, Casey 71; Rd. 2 score: -10)
2 (-12) – Legion XIII (Rahm 68, Hatton 71, McKibbin 72, Surratt 72; Rd. 2 score: -1)
3 (-11) – 4Aces GC (Detry 67, Pieters 68, Johnson 69, Kim 73; Rd. 2 score: -7)
