Dustin Johnson, LIV Golf’s reigning individual champion, started the 2023 season slower than expected after enduring a minor back injury early in the year.
The American is now rounding into form in front of record crowds at LIV Golf Tulsa.
Johnson posted his second consecutive seven-under 63 in the second round to take a two-shot lead at 14 under over South Africa’s Branden Grace going into Sunday’s final round at Cedar Ridge Country Club.
Johnson’s 4Aces also moved ahead of Grace’s Stingers on the team leaderboard by one shot.
Saturday’s sellout crowd was the largest single-day attendance for a LIV Golf event in the US. Another strong crowd is expected on Sunday, which should make LIV Golf Tulsa the most-attended event of the eight played in the US since LIV Golf’s debut in 2022.
They’ve seen a return to form for Johnson, as the back-to-back 63s are his best scores of the year.
“I saw a lot of good things in Australia and Singapore,” the two-time Major winner said of the previous two LIV Golf tournaments. “I was playing well. Just didn’t get a lot out of my rounds … I knew it was coming. I was seeing a lot of good things.”
Johnson will be seeking his second individual tournament title on Sunday, having won last year in Boston with a dramatic eagle putt in a playoff.
He’ll be in the final group with Grace for the first time since last year’s tournament in Portland, the first LIV event played in the US.
The South African shot a seven-under 65 at Pumpkin Ridge to rally from two strokes down to win and will need a similar performance at Cedar Ridge.
Grace led for the majority of the second round before suffering his first two bogeys of the week at holes 15 and 16. Meanwhile, Johnson birdied both holes, a four-shot swing that gave Johnson the lead.
“I’m definitely going to have to go deep tomorrow,” said Grace, at 12 under after following his record-setting 61 on Friday with a three-under 67.
“I’m not saying it’s going to take a nine under or something like that, but if I can just play well, give myself some chances and then take it from there.”
The third member of the final group is American Bubba Watson, who is at 10 under after shooting a 64 on Saturday, his best round in his eight worldwide starts in 2023 since returning from knee surgery.
Watson was one over early in his round before finding his rhythm and making seven birdies in his last 13 holes.
“I started off struggling today, but then I fought hard coming back,” he said. “I want to feel those nerves tomorrow. I want to get in contention again.”
American Bryson DeChambeau moved into solo fourth after his best round of the year, a 63 left him at nine under. He’ll be in a group with Australian Cameron Smith, who shot 68 and is at eight under. American Brendan Steele is tied with Smith after shooting 69.
“Yesterday was a struggle but excited with where my game is trending and heading,” DeChambeau said. “Pumped about that.”
– Report from LIV Golf website
