Niemann, Grace, Meronk tied for individual lead at LIV Golf UK

ROCESTER: Similar to last season, Joaquin Niemann entered this week’s LIV Golf UK by JCB as the season-long points leader, with Jon Rahm in hot pursuit. The Torque GC captain is determined to write a different ending this time.

Niemann, a four-time winner this season, shot a bogey-free 65 on Friday at JCB Golf & Country Club to grab a share of the first-round lead with Cleeks GC’s Adrian Meronk and Stinger GC’s Branden Grace.

The trio are one shot ahead of Majesticks’ co-captain Lee Westwood, RangeGoats’ captain Bubba Watson, and Niemann’s Torque teammate Carlos Ortiz.

The team leaderboard is also tightly bunched at the top with defending UK champions Legion XIII tied with Stinger and Torque at 11 under. Six other teams are within five shots of the lead.

Rahm won the individual UK trophy for his first career LIV Golf victory a year ago, using it as a springboard to catch Niemann for the season-long Individual Championship in the regular-season finale.

Niemann entered this week with a 15-point lead over Rahm and is now in a great position to build on his advantage, as Rahm shot an even-par 71 and is tied for 32nd. Crushers’ captain Bryson DeChambeau, who is in third place in the standings, is tied for 11th after a 68.

Based on projections after Friday’s first round, Niemann would leave England with a 44-point lead, which would mean he would be guaranteed pole position in the standings going into the regular-season finale, LIV Golf Indianapolis, to determine the Individual Championship next month.

Niemann, who birdied four of his first six holes, said: “I’m in a really privileged situation to be on top of the rankings and being chased by Jon and Bryson. It just makes me a better athlete. I like that pressure.”

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