LIV Golf in Bangkok leaderboard: Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra extends his lead after sizzling 63 in Round 2

Beginning the second spherical alongside Richard Bland and Branden Grace atop the 2022 LIV Golf in Bangkok leaderboard, Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra solid forward. Once once more getting round Stonehill Golf Course in a bogey-free trend, the Spaniard improved on his first day effort with a second-round 9-under 63 to place a stranglehold on this event.

Beginning his day on the primary gap, Chacarra was after it on the bounce. Making birdie in his first two holes, he noticed his title rise above the remainder on the leaderboard. Tacking on one other birdie on the par-4 fifth and an eagle on the par-5 sixth, the 22-year-old’s benefit had grown to 4 by the point his group made its method to the inward half.

Not solely had Chacarra ascended to the highest spot alone, however one in every of his closest rivals Branden Grace had fallen out of the competitors. Citing an acute muscle pressure on his left facet, the LIV Portland winner was solely capable of full three holes in his second spherical earlier than withdrawing.

Adding three birdies on his again 9, Chacarra in the end signed for his second consecutive spherical in the mid-60s to place him at 16 below for the week. With Grace’s absence, a variety of suitors have lined up behind Chacarra heading into the ultimate spherical of LIV Bangkok the place an enormous effort shall be wanted in order to beat a five-stroke deficit.

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed performed himself again into the combination with a 7-under 65 and is in a tie for second alongside Bland, Sihwan Kim and Harold Varner III at 11 below. Just one stroke again is Brooks Koepka who’s well-positioned to seize his first top-10 end with LIV Golf and probably his first victory if Chacarra is to battle after two straight rounds of 67.

The chief

1. Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra (-16)

If capable of signal for a 3rd straight bogey-free spherical, it’s greater than possible Chacarra shall be your LIV Golf Bangkok winner. Breaking a streak that has included victors corresponding to Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith, the inclusion of the youngest member of the circuit in the winner’s circle is welcomed news for the upstart golf league. The 22-year-old nonetheless has his work minimize out for him, however he’s insistent that — very similar to Matthew McConaughey — by going again, he’s really shifting ahead.

“I think the key was I went back to see what I was doing in college because I was working so good and I didn’t do as good the first four weeks as a pro, and it was just try to have fun and then play to not make bogeys,” stated Chacarra. (*2*)

Other contenders

T2. Richard Bland, Sihwan Kim, Harold Varner III, Patrick Reed (-11)

T6. James Piot, Brooks Koepka (-10)

T8. Marc Leishman, Lee Westwood, Kevin Na (-9)

There are some sturdy pursuers in this group if Chacarra is to slide up. Koepka is essentially the most intriguing I’d say simply given his lack of latest high quality but additionally his skill to seal the deal when in competition. Motivation is a phrase that has been thrown round in regards to a few of these gamers and whereas some are nonetheless working away on their off-weeks, Koepka has been seen yachting across the Mediterranean and having fun with his life to the fullest. This has led to some poor efforts in the LIV Golf Series however perhaps, simply perhaps, he determined sufficient was sufficient and put his head to the grindstone forward of this week.

Grace’s damage comes at a horrible time

The man from South Africa was proper in the thick of it earlier than his premature departure from LIV Golf Bangkok on account of damage. Grace entered the week 39 factors behind Johnson in the season-long race and was primed to chop into the American’s deficit with a powerful effort in Thailand. It is unknown how lengthy the LIV Portland winner shall be sidelined, however with his absence, Johnson’s grasp on the common season trophy most actually tightens.

Team standings

With Branden Grace’s WD, Stinger GC should use every workforce member’s rating (3) in the ultimate spherical.