Joaquín Niemann opened the six-stroke lead towards Sunday’s final round at Liv Golf England.
The Torque GC captain moved to 14 under par with an 8-under 65 at JCB Golf and Country Club in Rosester, England on Saturday. He scored nine birdies on the par 4 15th hole with a lonely bogey.
Bubba Watson came in second at 8 under, after 68-year-old Paul Casey (68), Caleb Saratt (68) and Adrian Melonk (70) finished third at 7 under.
Niemann has already won four Liv Golf Tour this season, but is looking to add him to Adelaide, Singapore, Mexico City and Virginia titles.
“I had a great time. I made lots of putts,” Nieman said. “I laughed at it sometimes because I’m not used to seeing a lot of them in there, and it’s kind of cool to see that.
“Aside from that, I hit some good shots, everything felt like most of the tees, the tees, the irons and putting were under control.
Niemann is Nos. I had five birdies on the front nine, including three consecutive ones of 1-3.
“I think it’s a great course for my eyes,” said Neiman, who tied the second last year. “It feels like there are a lot of blind shots. There are a lot of left to right, right to right, right to right. You have to move it. You have to use different types of shots from the tee. I’m pretty confident on this course as well.
Niemann’s Torque GC is in front of the 24-under team championship in a three-shot for Legion XIII, exploring their first team title since 2023.
“We know we can do that. We’re approaching for some opportunities,” Nieman said. “…I think tomorrow will be an exciting day for all of us.
Watson knows that hot round and perhaps bad weather will be needed to keep Neiman away from the top of the podium.
“He’s playing really well. You don’t expect him to do anything to get behind him,” Watson said. “The direction of the wind – I’m not looking at the weather. It could change the golf course and how we play it, the tweezer up.
“But we give it all, and hope it’s good enough, we have a round like he has (Saturday).
Five golfers, including Niemann’s torque GC teammate Carlos Ortiz, came in sixth at 6 under.