After months of speculation and controversy, the first two days of competition for the new LIV Golf league are in the books, with the LIV Golf Invitational Series concluding the second round Friday in London.
Charl Schwartzel and Hennie du Plessis, both from South Africa, were 1-2 atop the leaderboard as Round 2 came to a close. Schwartzel increased his lead on Friday to 9-under, after posting a 5-under 65 on Thursday, with du Plessis 3 shots back at 6 under. Dustin Johnson is tied for fourth at 1 under, while Phil Mickelson is 4 over.
The PGA Tour announced Thursday that it had suspended the then-17 members who are competing in the event. Players who compete in LIV events are ineligible to participate on the PGA Tour or any other tours it sanctions. Players who take part in future LIV Golf events will face the same punishment.
Here are the sights, sounds and leaders from the second round of the IV London tournament.
Round 2 leaderboard
1. Charl Schwartzel -9
2. Hennie Du Plessis -6
3. Peter Uihlein -4
4. Oliver Bekker -3
T5. Scott Vincent -1
T5. Dustin Johnson -1
T5. Sam Horsfield -1
T5. Phachara Khongwatmai -1
T9 Branden Grace E
T9. Adrian Otaegui E
T9. Ryosuke Kinoshita E
T12. Louis Oosthuizen +1
T12. Sergio Garcia +1
T12. Talor Gooch +1
T12. Pablo Larrazabal +1
T12. Ian Poulter +1
T17. Justin Harding +2
T17. Ratchanon Chantananuwat +2
T17. Ian Snyman +2
T17. Chase Koepka +2
T21. Jinichiro Kozuma +3
T21. Laurie Canter +3
T21. JC Ritchie +3
T21. Jediah Morgan +3
T21. Wade Ormsby +3
T26. Kevin Na +4
T26. Matt Jones +4
T26. Phil Mickelson +4
T26. Martin Kaymer +4
T26. Travis Smyth +4
T26. James Piot +4
T32. Shaun Norris +5
T32. Graeme McDowell +5
T32. Viraj Madappa +5
T32. Kevin Yuan +5
36. Lee Westwood +6
T37. Richard Bland +7
T37. Shiwan Kim +7
T37. Hideto Tanihara +7
38. David Puig +8
T39. Bernd Wiesberger +9
T39. Oliver Fisher +9
T41. Hudson Swafford +10
T41. Blake Windred +10
T43. Sadom Kaewkanjana +15
T43. Turk Pettit +15
45. Itthipat Buranatanyarat +18
46. Andy Ogletree +19
Don’t look now …
… but Dustin Johnson seems to be making a run for the top.
It’s @DJohnsonPGA making moves 👀
Stream now 👉https://t.co/ggQLRIBZIk#LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/eHYy3QAlxn
— LIV Golf (@LIVGolfInv) June 10, 2022
Schwartzel unstoppable?
It’s still early, but Charl Schwartzel continues to pad his lead, reaching 7 under with this putt.
Catch him if you can 🏃♂️@CA_Schwartzel for -7#LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/rGMZDHnDi0
— LIV Golf (@LIVGolfInv) June 10, 2022
DeChambeau joins the league
Bryson DeChambeau is the latest big name to choose to compete in the new LIV Golf series.
Welcome @b_dechambeau 💪#LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/9zMvhrC84D
— LIV Golf (@LIVGolfInv) June 10, 2022