Similar to last season, Joaquin Niemann entered this week’s LIV Golf UK by JCB as the season-long points leader, with Jon Rahm in hot pursuit. The Torque GC captain is determined to write a different ending this time.
Niemann, a four-time winner this season, shot a bogey-free 65 on Friday at JCB Golf & Country Club to grab a share of the first round lead with Cleeks GC’s Adrian Meronk and Stinger GC’s Branden Grace. The trio are one shot ahead of Majesticks GC Co-Captain Lee Westwood, RangeGoats GC Captain Bubba Watson and Niemann’s Torque teammate Carlos Ortiz.
The team leaderboard is also tightly bunched at the top with defending UK champions Legion XIII tied with Stinger and Torque at 11 under. Six other teams are within five shots of the lead.
A year ago, Rahm won the individual UK trophy for his first career LIV Golf victory, using it as a springboard to catch Niemann for the season-long Individual Championship in the regular-season finale. Niemann entered this week with a 15-point lead over Rahm and is now in great position to build on his advantage, as Rahm shot an even-par 71 and is tied for 32nd. Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau, who is in third place in the standings, is tied for 11th after a 68.
