The Club at Chatham Hills was buzzing today as LIV Golf Indianapolis reached its second round. After a historic day one that saw Sebastian Munoz card a stunning 59, the pressure was on, and the leaderboard saw some significant shifts.
Dustin Johnson surged into a tie for the lead with Munoz, carding a bogey-free 64 to match Munoz's 16-under par. Johnson, seeking his fourth LIV Golf victory and his first this season, put on a stellar performance, showcasing the form that has made him one of the league's top players. After starting the round slowly with five consecutive pars, Johnson found his stride, racking up seven birdies in eleven holes to climb to the top of the leaderboard.
Munoz, despite holding a two-shot lead at one point, had a more turbulent day. He started strong with birdies on his first four holes but faced setbacks with bogeys and a costly double bogey on the 18th, resulting in a 67 and the tie with Johnson. Munoz's incredible 59 in the first round included a double bogey, making it the first sub-60 round in professional golf to achieve this mark.
The chasing pack is four shots back at 12-under, which includes Adrian Meronk, Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson, Thomas Pieters, and David Puig. Meronk, Puig, Carlos Ortiz and Charles Howell III all carded impressive 63s, demonstrating that low scores are definitely attainable on this course.
The race for the individual championship is also heating up, with Joaquin Niemann and Jon Rahm battling it out. The final round promises high stakes, as either Niemann or Rahm could clinch the coveted title. Rahm finds himself just inside the top 10, at 11-under par.
Beyond the leaderboard drama, LIV Golf Indianapolis continues to draw impressive crowds, with near-record attendance expected for the weekend. The event has been a significant boost for the local economy, with Westfield Mayor Scott Willis estimating a potential impact of nearly $30 million. The success of this year's tournament has already secured LIV Golf's return to The Club at Chatham Hills in 2026, scheduled for August 21-23.
And let's not forget Phil Mickelson's moment of brilliance during the first round. Faced with a tricky shot near the water, Mickelson removed his shoes and socks to hit a wedge shot from the water, saving par on the hole.
As we head into the final round, all eyes will be on Johnson and Munoz as they battle for the title. The competition is fierce, the stakes are high, and LIV Golf Indianapolis is delivering all the excitement we've come to expect. Tune in tomorrow to see who will emerge victorious at The Club at Chatham Hills.
