Mun Do-yeob Stays in Hunt for LIV Golf Korea Title with Second Straight 68

By Yoo Jee-ho BUSAN, May 29 (Yonhap) -- With his first round in LIV Golf in the books, South Korean debutant Mun Do-yeob arrived at Asiad Country Club in the southeastern city of Busan on Friday feeling more relaxed and comfortable. He proceeded to shoot his second straight round of two-under 68 on Day 2 of LIV Golf Korea, a score that could well have been lower if not for some late hiccups. But at four-under overall, Mun remained firmly in the hunt for the title on home soil. Talor Gooch of the United States is the sole leader at eight-under, with defending champion Bryson DeChambeau sitting one stroke back. Then there are five players tied at five-under, with Mun and Sergio Garcia tied for eighth at four-under. No South Korean player has won a LIV Golf event since the league held its first season in 2022. "I had a lot of fun playing today," Mun said. "I took a few peeks at the leaderboard along the way. I figured I was playing well, staying close to some great players, but wasn't paying much attention to my score. We still have two more days to play." This is Mun's first event with LIV Golf after joining Korean Golf Club earlier this week. Mun was leading the KPGA Tour in the Player of the Year points standings this season when he replaced Korean-born Kiwi Danny Lee just before the start of LIV Golf Korea. Mun, who started Friday on the fifth hole, was four-under for the day with four holes remaining, but some errant tee shots led to bogeys on the second and the fourth holes. Mun's highlight of the day came on the ninth hole, a converted par-5 that played 501 yards Friday. Mun sent his second shot, a five-iron, a little past the green but he chipped in from there for an unlikely birdie. "The ball landed exactly where I wanted and it had the perfect speed as it rolled into the cup," Mun said with a smile. "It was just a great shot and I let out a yell in spite of myself." Mun, who is no stranger to Asiad Country Club from his KPGA days, said he will try to capitalize on his experience and knowledge of the venue, not to mention the presence of a supportive crowd. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't have any home advantage. I've played here many times before and my knowledge of the grass types and greens here is definitely helpful," Mun said. "If I can trust myself and play with confidence, then I think good results will follow." Mun said he hadn't allowed himself to get too far ahead of himself and start thinking about what it'd be like to win in his LIV Golf debut. "If that does happen, then this week will have been a dream week," he said. "It was a last-minute decision to get into this tournament. And winning this would mean I will have beaten some big names. But there are still two more days remaining. Maybe I will think about this after playing well tomorrow."