Tyrrell Hatton Takes Command In Round 2 Of LIV Golf Andalucía

Tyrrell Hatton is looking to make a statement in his first start since becoming a father. The Englishman carded a 2-under 69 in Round 2 to move to 6 under for the week and take sole possession of the lead at the halfway stage of LIV Golf Andalucía 2026.

The Legion XIII star, who missed last week's event in Korea following the birth of his first child, went out in 36 before a more productive back nine of 33. He sits two shots clear of Thomas Detry heading into the weekend at Real Club Valderrama.

"If you'd have said to me on Wednesday that I'd have a two-shot lead going into the weekend, I probably wouldn't have believed you, to be honest," Hatton said. "As I said yesterday, I feel like I had a good warm-up … I simplified a few things and just kind of went out with that feel."

It was a day that belonged, in no small part, to Legion XIII. While Hatton was building his lead at the top, his teammate and captain Jon Rahm was producing one of the more eye-catching rounds on the course. The Spaniard, who had cut a frustrated figure after a 2-over 73 opening round in front of his home crowd, came out swinging on Friday with a 4-under 67, good for a tie of the low round of the day. Rahm moved to 2 under for the tournament and sits T7, in prime position for a weekend charge.

The defending champion also announced himself emphatically. OKGC Captain Talor Gooch, who has won two of the last three LIV Golf tournaments at Valderrama, made his move on Friday with a 4-under 67 that featured four birdies on the back nine and moved him all the way to a tie for third at 3 under. Gooch has a habit of finding his best golf when it matters most at this venue, and the field would be wise to keep a close eye on him this weekend.

Harold Varner III