Staff WriterLIV Golf Singapore aficionados, brace yourselves for a Sunday showdown that could rival the best in recent memory.
Three seasons after first locking horns for a LIV Golf trophy, Dustin Johnson and Joaquin Niemann head into the final round at Sentosa Golf Club deadlocked at 11-under—both looking poised to leave everyone else in the dust.
Niemann, the Torque GC captain, vaulted into the co-lead with a sensational 7-under 64 on Saturday, while Johnson (4Aces GC captain) followed up his sparkling 63 with a solid 3-under 68.
These two heavyweights are each three shots ahead of the field, setting the stage for a duel that might have the gallery gasping at every swing.
On the team front, Johnson’s 4Aces hold a five-stroke cushion over Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC, hoping to snap a drought of 22 tournaments without a win.
Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC lurk eight shots behind, looking to secure their third consecutive team victory.
Sunday’s final round marks the first time since 2022 in Boston that Johnson and Niemann have shared the marquee pairing.
Back then, Niemann was making his LIV Golf debut, and Johnson drained a thunderbolt eagle putt in a playoff that included the Chilean.
Niemann still recalls it vividly: “I still remember that day. It was my first week on LIV. He got it going, I got it going. I felt like I was the leader for a few holes, and he birdied back and then made an amazing putt on the playoff hole.”
Although the pair have played together at subsequent events, this is their first time duking it out with the top spot on the line since that Boston barnburner.
Both own three individual LIV Golf titles, each bolstered by multiple team triumphs—and neither seems keen on blinking first.
“It’s always fun playing with DJ,” Niemann said. “I’m excited for that tomorrow.”
If you’re keeping tabs on the LIV Golf Singapore leaderboard, a pack of contenders sits within striking distance.
Four players at 8-under—none of whom have yet tasted victory in LIV Golf—are primed to pounce if the leaders slip.
Among them is Sebastián Muñoz, Niemann’s Torque stablemate, who continued his impressive form with a 3-under 68 to land inside the top five for the eighth time in just 11 rounds this season.
Ripper GC’s Lucas Herbert fired a 5-under 66 to remain his squad’s standout performer, while Smash GC’s Jason Kokrak also carded 66, eager to join teammates Talor Gooch and Brooks Koepka as Singapore champs.
“Good vibes with two teammates that have already won here,” Kokrak remarked. “I know the golf course well enough. I know what to do. It’s just going out there and actually doing it.”
Over at HyFlyers GC, Cameron Tringale’s second consecutive 67 has that team sniffing a potential breakthrough.
Last week in Hong Kong, Mickelson secured his first individual podium finish, with the HyFlyers tying for third.
Tringale is still chasing an elusive maiden LIV Golf individual title, while the HyFlyers yearn for a first-team win.
“We all just want it so bad,” Tringale said. “We want to prove to people that we’re a legitimate team. There’s no reason we can’t do it. We’re all excited about the chance.”
Meanwhile, the 4Aces aim to rediscover the form that led them to five victories—Team Championship included—during the inaugural 2022 season, plus two more wins in 2023 before hitting their current dry spell.
“The competition is so good out here,” Johnson observed. “The quality of players from top to bottom is pretty high. To win as a team, it’s really tough.”
Of course, Johnson still has the red-hot Niemann breathing down his neck—he’s already collected one individual trophy this season (in Adelaide).
“He’s been playing great this season,” Johnson admitted. “It’s going to be a tough challenge tomorrow.”
Tough challenge or not, with both players in top gear, it’s anyone’s guess who emerges victorious.
But one thing’s for certain: Sunday at Sentosa promises some serious fireworks.
