By Samuel Blatchford
BOLINGBROOK, IL – Brooks Koepka is in the driver’s seat after shooting an 8-under 62 to lead heading into round two with a four stroke lead. His round was the only bogey-free round of the day.
He was bashful when talking about his round.
“A good player gets hot and they can shoot 62 pretty easy,” said Koepka. “There’s a bunch of guys out here than can do that. When it’s your day, it’s your day.”
Koepka entered this week with plenty of momentum, having won last month’s LIV Golf Greenbrier for his second victory of the year and record fifth of his LIV Golf career.
Rahm vs Niemann
Rahm and Niemann played in the same group Friday, with Niemann shooting a 2-under 68 to Rahm’s 69. With the margins so slim, that difference of a single shot leaves Niemann projected to overtake Rahm for No. 1. The two players will be grouped again in Saturday’s second round.
“Look, there’s a lot of golf to play,” Niemann said. “It’s a good start, yes, but there’s still a nice long weekend to come, so looking forward to that.”
Captain Jon Rahm of Legion XIII hits his shot on the 12th tee during the practice round before the start of LIV Golf Chicago at Bolingbrook Golf Club on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 in Bolingbrook, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Ferrey/LIV Golf)
Rahm will win the title as long as he ties or finishes ahead of Niemann on the final leaderboard Sunday. “We’ve got two more days,” Rahm said. “Hopefully we’ll keep it going and get a little better every day.”