Gooch builds big LIV Golf lead as Aussies battle
Gooch shot a five-under par 66 after returning early on Saturday to complete the final eight holes of an opening 70 that had been interrupted by high winds on Friday.
Seeking a fourth LIV Golf title, he is at seven-under 135 after mixing seven birdies and two bogeys in the second round at the Real Club Valderrama.
Fellow American Dustin Johnson fired a sizzling second-round 64 to be the closest challenger, with Branden Grace (71) a shot further back, while Jinichiro Kozuma (68), Jon Rahm (70) and Patrick Reed (71) were tied fourth at one under.
Australian major winner Cameron Smith went backwards with a 74 to be tied seventh, seven shots behind Gooch.
It's not been a good tournament for Smith's all-Australian Ripper team. They were sitting tied last in the team competition at 19 over.
Matt Jones shot 71 to be the next best Aussie at two over followed by Lucas Herbert (six over T45th) and Marc Leishman 11 over and last in the 54-player field.
Gooch is looking to repeat his win at Andalucia in 2023.
"It prepares you for these moments when they come up again," Gooch said of his experience at the event. "Having done it here at this course already, it's beneficial. Hopefully we can go get it done again tomorrow."
Last year, Spain's Sergio Garcia came from seven strokes back to win LIV Golf Andalucia in a playoff. Another Spaniard, Rahm, is hoping to repeat the feat in front of a supportive home crowd.
"It means the world. It also feels a little heavier on you when you make mistakes or don't take advantage of the ones that could have been," Rahm said of the backing from the fans.
"I'm not only upset for myself but I'm a little bit upset for them as well that I'm not going to have a better chance tomorrow."
Johnson, who is winless so far this season on the LIV circuit, was pleased with his second round fightback.
"Pretty much when you shoot that score around here, everything is working pretty well," he said.
On the team front, Johnson's strong round propelled his 4Aces into the lead. They stand at 2-over, with Gooch's Smash GC -- captained by Brooks Koepka -- at 3-over.
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