Anirban Lahiri up 2 getting into last spherical at LIV Golf Virginia

Pursuing his first particular person win with LIV Golf, Anirban Lahiri of India performed a bogey-free second spherical at 7-under 64 on Saturday and holds a two-shot lead at LIV Golf Virginia on Saturday in Gainesville, Va.

A runner-up 4 instances with LIV Golf, Lahiri sank seven birdies and made a 39-foot par putt on No. 16, then completed sturdy with a par on No. 18 after touchdown within the tough. On the 18th, he needed to rise up and down from a distance of greater than 100 yards.

“Yeah, these felt like birdies as properly,” Lahiri mentioned of his spectacular end to the day at Robert Trent Jones Golf Membership. “I believe the primary 15 holes was about as stable as I may have performed. I missed a number of putts and I nonetheless made numerous birdies.

“Then 16, I used to be making an attempt to hit like an in-between 9-iron and I attempted to compress it somewhat bit an excessive amount of, and everybody else noticed what occurred. It was good to make that putt.”

Veterans Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell — who’re additionally chasing their first particular person LIV Golf win — are at 9-under par getting into Sunday’s last spherical, simply two photographs behind the chief.

“It is at all times good to be near the lead, have an opportunity on the final day,” Watson mentioned. “Wanting ahead to it. Wanting ahead to the problem of this golf course. … You hit your driver good, you hit your irons in the fitting spots, you have got an opportunity to play this golf course.”

RangeGoats GC captain Watson birdied Nos. 17 and 18, then closed his spherical with pars on Nos. 1 and a couple of en path to a 6-under 65. Kaymer, who shared the first-round lead with Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau, shot a 4-under 67 to maintain himself firmly within the operating.

In the meantime, McDowell notched three straight birdies on Nos. 15-17 to place himself in competition with a 5-under 66. He’ll play the ultimate spherical with Lahiri and Watson.

“I am excited to be up there (on the leaderboard),” McDowell mentioned. “I am excited to present myself in all probability my first alternative on LIV. I’ve underachieved significantly to date in my profession out right here. Actually anticipate extra of myself.”

Joaquin Niemann, DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, the highest three within the particular person standings, are tied for fifth at 7 underneath, 4 photographs off the highest spot.

On the group entrance, Lahiri and DeChambeau have the Crushers at 21 underneath par, one up on McDowell’s Smash GC squad and properly forward of the opposite foursomes.

–Discipline Degree Media