LIV Golf New York Round 2 Recap: Joaquin Niemann And Torque In Cruise Control

Joaquin Niemann has a five-shot lead after two rounds at LIV Golf New York. He appears in total command of all facets of his game and is the only player in the field yet to make a bogey. It’s very reminiscent of 2025 when he won a record five LIV Golf tournaments.

But the Torque GC captain, seeking his second win in his last four league starts, isn’t interested in comparing his current form to last year. He doesn’t want to get stuck trying to simply duplicate the past.

"I feel like I’m never going to be the same as I was in 2025," he said. "I feel like you’re always changing. You’re always evolving and you’re always a different person. 2025, I played amazing golf. I had five wins on LIV. Probably not the best results in major. But I feel I’m a better player now. I feel like I have matured a lot more and whenever time goes on, there’s always something to learn."

The 27-year-old Niemann, the league’s youngest captain, followed his opening 7-under 64 with a bogey-free 65 on Friday, leaving him at 13 under entering the weekend at Trump National Bedminster. Fueled by Niemann, Torque also has a five-shot lead on the team leaderboard.

Niemann’s closest pursuer is the oldest captain in the field, 53-year-old Lee Westwood of England. The Majesticks co-captain is at 8 under after matching Niemann’s 65. Another stroke back is 47-year-old Fireballs GC Captain Sergio Garcia of Spain, who also shot 65.

Both of those European legends realize that catching Niemann will be a difficult task – especially if the Chilean star keeps starting his rounds so strongly. In each of the first two days at Bedminster, he’s shot 5-under 30 on the front nine.

"Joaco is obviously a world-class player. For me, he's top 20 in the world," Westwood said.