Anirban Lahiri holds 4-stroke lead at LIV

Field Level Media|published: Sat 13th July, 14:22 2024

Jun 8, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Anirban Lahiri of Crushers Golf Club tees off on the 17th hole during the second round of the LIV Golf Houston golf tournament at Golf Club of Houston. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

India's Anirban Lahiri carded a 5-under-par 66 on Saturday to seize a four-stroke lead after the second round at the LIV Golf Andalucia event in Sotogrande, Spain.

Lahiri, who resides at 7-under 135, collected six birdies against one bogey at Real Club Valderrama.

"I mean, I made a lot of putts. Holed a chip. You had to do all of that to shoot five (under). So I'm really happy that I was in a good zone, pretty calm," Lahiri said. "Had a few lipouts, a few missed chances early. Just kind of stayed in the round. Stayed in the shot. Stayed in the present. Really happy obviously, yeah."

Thanks to Lahiri's performance, Crushers GC has a four-stroke lead over Fireball GC and a five-stroke advantage versus Stinger GC in the team competition.

New Zealand's Danny Lee shot a 72 on Saturday to sit in second place overall, one shot ahead of the trio of Germany's Martin Kaymer (68), England's Tyrrell Hatton (68) and Spain's Eugenio Chacarra (72).

First-round leader Dean Burmester followed up his 66 on Friday with a 75 on Saturday to reside in a five-way tie for sixth place. He is tied with Bryson DeChambeau (67), England's Lee Westwood (70) and Richard Bland (70) as well as South African Louis Oosthuizen (71).

Spaniard Jon Rahm, who is seeking his first LIV individual title, shot a 69 to rest at even par.

"I feel like I'm falling victim like many others of just being Valderrama, right?" Rahm said. "Played such good golf. Played such a good round of golf both days. It's like two moments here and there that make a significant impact, right? Played great all day. Had a great round going, and on 4, my last hole to, hit that drive and from there, put it in the water, is just a mistake that cost me a lot, right? That's basically two to four shots given away the last two days on par 5s by hitting it in the water. That's way too much here. It's hard to make it up."

Rahm is joined by countryman Sergio Garcia (73), Australian Marc Leishman (66) and Chilean Joaquin Niemann (68).

Defending champion Talor Gooch followed up his 76 on Friday with a 77 on Saturday to reside in a tie for 48th place.

--Field Level Media