Jon Rahm seized the outright lead at LIV Golf Mexico on Saturday after a turbulent second round that saw him battle back from early struggles to card a 67 and move to 10-under par for the tournament.
The Basque golfer recovered from three bogeys – including one on the opening hole and two consecutive on the par-5 seventh – to post seven birdies and edge out his nearest challengers by a single stroke. Matthew Wolff, Tom McKibbin and Harold Varner all sit at 9-under following the second round at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City.
Rahm’s round was not without drama. He began with a bogey after failing to convert a nearly three-foot putt to save par following a backspin that kicked his ball off the green. He quickly recovered on the second hole, a short par-4 under 300 meters, where he chipped from near a spectator path after spraying his tee shot and holed a five-footer for birdie to return to even par for the day.
Despite the early hiccups, Rahm found his rhythm and steadily climbed the leaderboard. His consistent play throughout the round left him in sole possession of first place with a score of -10, giving him a one-stroke cushion over the trio tied for second.
Although Rahm claimed the individual lead, it was his compatriot Luis Masaveu who emerged as the day’s standout performer. The 23-year-old Madrileño fired a career-best 65 in the LIV Golf series, reaching 8-under par for the tournament and sitting alone in fifth place.
Masaveu’s round featured a remarkable birdie on the ninth hole, where he sank a putt from more than 15 meters after lagging his approach shot close. He had waited until the sixth hole to start his round and did not record his first birdie until the ninth, highlighting his patience and resilience.
The young Spaniard has been working closely with coach Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño, who praised his mentality and work ethic. “He’s a winner and a guy who works and has it clear,” Fernández-Castaño said of Masaveu, highlighting the player’s determination and focus.
Masaveu turned professional in 2024 after a successful amateur career that included winning the 2023 Tailhade Cup in Argentina and the 2024 Portuguese International Amateur Championship. He has represented Spain in multiple international amateur competitions, including two Eisenhower Trophy appearances and back-to-back European Amateur Team Championship victories in 2022 and 2023.
In team competition, Rahm’s Legion XIII squad continued its dominant performance, holding a staggering 19-stroke lead over the second-place Fireballs team. The legion has been a formidable force in the LIV Golf team standings, showcasing exceptional cohesion and performance throughout the event.
The challenging conditions at Chapultepec, characterized by strong winds and firm greens, tested the field throughout the round. Players had to navigate tricky lies and difficult putting surfaces, making scoring difficult and emphasizing the importance of precision and course management.
Rahm’s ability to overcome adversity and post a solid score under such circumstances underscores his experience and mental toughness. His history of strong performances in LIV Golf events – consistently finishing in the top five and often securing at least a share of second place – has been a hallmark of his tenure in the league.
As the tournament reaches its midpoint, Rahm holds a narrow but meaningful advantage in the individual race. His one-stroke lead over Wolff, McKibbin and Varner sets up an intriguing battle for the final rounds, where consistency and handling of pressure will be paramount.
Masaveu’s breakthrough performance adds another layer of intrigue to the leaderboard. His career-low round in LIV Golf competition signals his growing comfort and competitiveness at the professional level, particularly against established stars in the field.
The next official update will come following the conclusion of the third round, where players will look to either build on their positions or build a move up the leaderboard. Fans can follow live scoring and updates through the LIV Golf official website and affiliated broadcast partners.
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