LIV Golf Boston: Talor Gooch Takes One-Shot Lead into Finale

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Talor Gooch 2022 LIV Golf Boston
Talor Gooch of 4 Aces GC plays a shot from the 16th tee during Day 2 of the LIV Golf Invitational Boston at The Oaks course at The International on Sept 03, 2022 in Bolton, Mass. (Photo by Chris Trotman for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Bolton, Mass. – Talor Gooch shot a 5-under 65 on Saturday and will enter the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational-Boston holding a one-shot advantage.

The 30-year-old American finished his second day at The International’s Oaks course with six birdies against one bogey to reach 12-under par, one clear Joaquin Niemann, and two clear of 4 Aces teammate Dustin Johnson.

“Yeah, like he said, the game has been in good form,” said Gooch, who’s finished inside the top 10 in each of his first three LIV starts.

“And I was able to throw out one low round last tournament, but it’s nice to throw out a couple more this tournament and see if we can both throw out one more tomorrow and get the team win.”

Joaquin Niemann 2022 LIV Golf Boston
Team Captain Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC lines up a putt on the 12th green during Day 2 of the LIV Golf Invitational Boston at The Oaks course at The International on Sept 03, 2022 in Bolton, Mass. (Photo by Charles Laberge for LIV Golf via Getty Images )

Niemann, the young Chilean, chased an opening-round 64 with a 65 to sit solo-second on 11 under.

Johnson, LIV Golf’s most consistent player throughout the series, signed for a scorecard comprised of three bogeys offset by an eagle and a round-best eight birdies en route to a low-round 63.

“Yeah, I’ve been playing solid I feel like every week,” said Johnson, who would be ranked inside the world top 10 if OWGR awarded ranking points to LIV.

“Each round I’ve felt like I’m doing the right things. Eventually it’s all going to come together. Even today was good at times, but still made a few — quite a few mistakes.

“The game is definitely in good form, and I like the direction it’s heading in.”

Anirban Lahiri was alone in fourth after a one-bogey round of 66.

2022 LIV Golf Boston Anirban Lahiri
Anirban Lahiri of Crushers GC plays a shot from a bunker on the 5th hole during Day 2 of the LIV Golf Invitational Boston at The Oaks course at The International on Sept 03, 2022 in Bolton, Mass. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Jason Kokrak (65), Matthew Wolff (69) and Bernd Wiesberger (66) were T5 on 8 under.

Sihwan Kim bounced back from a horrendous opening-round 87 to post 63, a 24-stroke swing.

In the team competition, Johnson (-7) and Gooch (-5) pushed 4 Aces into the pole position on -22, three shots clear of the Hy Flyers (-19), who got matching 4 under scores from Wiesberger and newcomer Cameron Tringale (66).

Dustin Johnson 2022 LIV Golf Boston
Team Captain Dustin Johnson of 4 Aces GC plays a tee shot during Day 2 of the LIV Golf Invitational Boston at The Oaks course at The International on Sept 03, 2022 in Bolton, Mass. (Photo by Patrick Smith for LIV Golf via Getty Images)

“I’ve got three good players so I don’t have to do anything,” joked Johnson. “They just call me “captain.” That’s about it.

“That’s obviously a good thing. We don’t have team meetings or anything, but these guys, they’re great players, they know what to do, and if I can help, I’m happy to, but I don’t need to help these guys any.”

Hy Flyers Captain Phil Mickelson added: “It’s really fun for us. We’ve got a couple of really solid players in Cameron Tringale and Bernd Wiesberger, and we’ve got an explosive player with a lot of firepower in Matt Wolff.

“We all got together and played some practice rounds early in the week. You could tell we all thought it was going to be a pretty good week, and those guys have all put it together. Tomorrow is going to be a really fun day. It’s going to be a really fun day for us.”


2022 LIV Golf Invitational – Boston


Leaderboard: Top 10

Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd 2)
1. Talor Gooch -12 (-5)
2. Joaquin Niemann -11 (-5)
3. Dustin Johnson -10 (-7)
4. Anirban Lahiri -9 (-5)
5. Jason Kokrak -8 (-5)
5. Matthew Wolff -8 (-1)
5. Bernd Wiesberger -8 (-4)
8. Sadom Kaewkanjana -7 (-4)
8. Pat Perez -7 (-4)
8. Branden Grace -7 (-4)
8. Cameron Smith -7 (-1)
8. Louis Oosthuizen -7 (-3)
8. Kevin Na -7 (-3)

Notables

14. Marc Leishman -6 (-6)
14. Lee Westwood -6 (-3)
14. Sergio Garcia -6 (-6)
14. Abraham Ancer -6 (-5)
18. Martin Kaymer -5 (-3)
19. Ian Poulter -4 (-3)
24. Harold Varner III -3 (E)
24. Charles Howell III -3 (E)
24. Brooks Koepka -3 (-3)
24. Charl Schwartzel -3 (-1)
29. Graeme McDowell -2 (E)
29. Bryson DeChambeau -2 (-1)
34. Paul Casey +1 (+5)
34. Patrick Reed +1 (+2)
34. Hudson Swafford +1 (+2)
41. Phil Mickelson +3 (-1)

Odds To Win

1. Talor Gooch (+175)
2. Joaquin Niemann (+250)
3. Dustin Johnson (+275)
4. Matthew Wolff (+1600)
5. Anirban Lahiri (+2000)
5. Cameron Smith (+2000)

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