RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The intensity at the ROSHN Group LIV Golf Riyadh reached a fever pitch on Thursday, February 5, as the marquee duo of Jon Rahm (Legion XIII) and Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers GC) began their ascent up the leaderboard during the second night of action.
With the 2026 season introducing a historic 72-hole format, “Moving Day” dynamics have shifted, but the primary goal remains: mastering the unique shadows of the Riyadh Golf Club. Rahm, seeking his third consecutive season-opening victory, carded a bogey-free 65 to move into the top five. He was shadowed all night by DeChambeau, whose aggressive driving off the tee took full advantage of the cooler Riyadh evening air.
“The atmosphere out here is electric,” Rahm said following his round. “Playing under the lights is a mental game as much as a physical one, and having Bryson pushing the pace keeps everyone on their toes.”
While the titans battled, the early leaderboard remains crowded. Thomas Detry (4Aces GC) and Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC) maintained their positions near the summit, while defending champion Adrian Meronk lurks just three shots back. In the team standings, Legion XIII holds a narrow lead over Torque GC, setting the stage for a pivotal third round on Friday.
Key Standings (Projected After Round 2):
- Individual Leaders: Thomas Detry (-12), Joaquin Niemann (-11), Jon Rahm (-10).
- Team Leaders: Legion XIII (-24), Torque GC (-21), 4Aces GC (-19).