Four Aces lead the way in LIV Golf Portland team standings

By Matt Smith
Captain Dustin Johnson led the way for Four Aces to assume control in the LIV Golf Portland team standings.

DJ, the highest-ranked player in the field, put on a masterclass for the first 12 holes and held on to a share of the lead despite a slight wobble coming in on the second day of the LIV Golf Invitational series in Portland.

The world No. 17 American was six-under for the day through the first 12 holes with the help of seven birdies, but two three-putt bogeys coming in gave Carlos Ortiz a share of the lead in the individual standings on eight-under with 18 holes to go on Saturday.

But there was clear daylight in the innovative team standings as Four Aces dominated at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.

With two best scores of the four-man teams counting towards the team championship for the first two days (and three best scores counting in the final round), the Johnson-led Four Aces were comfortably ahead by four shots over the all-South African team of Stingers. With Patrick Reed also shooting a 68, Four Aces reached 15-under par through the first two rounds, while Stingers, who won the inaugural LIV Invitational in London, were at 11-under par.

“I did not have the best start to the tournament and had to miss the ProAm because I had to head over to Canada to sort some visa issues,” said Stingers Justin Harding as players struggled to cope with the demanding Pumpkin Ridge set-up in Oregon. “Then, to play so well yesterday before making some silly mistakes for a triple bogey late in the round was very frustrating.”

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