Charl Schwartzel shot a 4-under 66 on Friday and will enter the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational-London holding a three-shot advantage.
The 37-year-old South African finished his second day at the Centurion Club with three bogeys against seven birdies, highlighted by four in a six-hole stretch (Nos. 10-15) to reach 9-under par, three clear of teammate (Stinger) and countryman Hennie Du Plessis (65).
Schwartzel posted the day’s low round on both Thursday (65) and Friday (66) and is one of two players to shoot under par in each round.
With Team Stinger (-14) holding down the first two individual spots, they hold a commanding lead and appear a lock for the team win and the $3 million payday ($750k for each player).
Peter Uihlein was alone in second after a one-bogey round of 66.
One further back was Oliver Bekker who posted a day-two 67 which included a wild stretch of double bogey, birdie, birdie, eagle and bogey on Nos. 12-16.
Dustin Johnson (70) was among a group of four players tied for fifth on 1-under par, one clear of Branden Grace who headlined a trio tied for ninth on even-par 140.
2022 LIV Golf Invitational – London
Leaderboard: Top 10
Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd 2)
1. Charl Schwartzel -9 (-4)
2. Hennie Du Plessis -6 (-2)
3. Peter Uihlein -4 (-4)
4. Oliver Bekker -3 (-3)
5. Dustin Johnson -1 (E)
5. Sam Horsfield -1 (E)
5. Phac Khongwatmai -1 (+2)
5. Scott Vincent -1 (+2)
9. Ryosuke Kinoshita E (-3)
9. Branden Grace E (+2)
9. Adrian Otaegui E (E)
Notables
12. Louis Oosthuizen +1 (-1)
12. Talor Gooch +1 (E)
12. Sergio Garcia +1 (E)
12. Ian Poulter +1 (-4)
26. Phill Mickelson +4 (+5)
26. Kevin Na +4 (+1)
26. Martin Kaymer +4 (E)
32. Graeme McDowell +5 (+1)
Odds To Win
1. Charl Schwartzel -200
2. Hennie Du Plessis +450
3. Peter Uihlein +1600
4. Oliver Bekker +2000
4. Dustin Johnson +2000