[Photo: Mark Brake/Getty Images]
A sparkling 65 from Lucas Herbert has helped propel the all-Australian Ripper GC outfit within a shot of the lead in the teams portion of LIV Golf Adelaide, while Jon Rahm’s 63 sees him lead into the weekend in the individual title.
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The Spaniard plucked seven birdies and an eagle from the Grange Golf Club layout, a score matched by New Zealander Ben Campbell, who sits just a shot off the individual lead, and 2023 LIV Adelaide winner Talor Gooch. Less abrasive winds compared to the opening round saw better scoring across the field. Rahm sits 13-under, one of four players to reach double-digits in the red through 36 holes.
The midpoint leaderboard is crammed with stars, as day one co-leader Bryson DeChambeau lurks just two shots off the pace at 11-under, while new 4Aces recruit Anthony Kim sits at 10-under.
Herbert’s heroics boosted Ripper GC’s chances at tasting team glory for a second consecutive week, while Cam Smith found six birdies in a polished 67 and Elvis Smylie made five birdies in a six-hole stretch in his round of 70. Marc Leishman, who shared the individual lead after 18 holes, struggled to an even-par 72 today.
The Rippers’ aggregate of 22-under-par places them in a share of third place in the teams competition, a shot behind 4Aces GC and the RangeGoats. Five teams either lead or sit one shot off the pace.
“[I’m] probably more interested in the team leaderboard than I am the individual at the minute,” said Herbert, who at eight-under is the leading Australian in the individual event. “I’ve had parties for winning and I’ve had parties for winning the teams events, and I can tell you the teams events are a lot more fun.
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Rahm rode a hot putter in his 63, including sinking a 50-foot monster for eagle on the seventh hole. He said he hadn’t seen so many putts drop in some time.
“I can’t remember the last time I made this many,” Rahm said. “And the ones that didn’t go in looked like they were going to go in. It was a fantastic day on the greens. So that’s the biggest takeaway from today.
“I did a really good job off the tee in general, always put it in the good spot. A lot of good iron shots. But I putted extremely well today – made a lot of feet of putts.”
Campbell is the surprise packet near the top of the leaderboard. The 34-year-old made five straight birdies early in his round but highlighted his 63 with a hole-out eagle at the par-4 18th (the 14th hole of his day). A crisp wedge shot pitched behind the flag then spun back into the cup, dropping at perfect pace.
“I’m looking forward to the course this weekend,” Campbell said. “[I’ve] played a lot here in Australia. Feel like I’ve played this style of golf a lot growing up, so it’s really nice to be back here playing this style again. Hopefully some of that experience from playing plenty of amateur events and Aussie Opens and things like that over here can rub off on the weekend.”
Campbell will tee off alongside Rahm and DeChambeau in the final group tomorrow, a prospect the Kiwi is relishing.
“I’ve got a pretty big crew from New Zealand over here this week,” he said. “It’s great. It’s as close to I get to playing at home and I’ve got a lot of family over here this week and a lot of friends. Everyone has been amazing.”
As for seeing Rahm’s imposing name at the top of the pack, leave it to the straight-shooting Herbert to sum up the task of the pursuers.
“I wouldn’t normally want to give Jon Rahm a five-shot head start going into the weekend,” Herbert said. “[But I’m] going to have to. So that’s going to be a fun one to chase down.
“He’s not known for falling apart, so [I’m] going to have to play some really good golf again.”
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