While LIV Golf Indianapolis serves as both the individual and team championship event for 2026, Lee standout as the top-ranked player in the individual competition.
Lee advanced to the lead after 36 holes following a strong 4-under-par 66 in the second round at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana.
At the halfway mark, Lee is 11 under par, maintaining a one-shot advantage over Dustin Johnson (66), Thomas Detry of Belgium (64), and Laurie Canter from England (68), who leads after the first round.
At 35 years old, Lee is in his inaugural season with LIV Golf after securing a wild card spot through last winter’s promotions event in Florida. Despite LIV’s uncertain trajectory following the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s withdrawal of support, Lee described the season as ‘a dream come true’ during Friday’s press conference.
“Everything I’ve wanted and needed is here—world-class courses, ideal conditions, and a welcoming environment,” Lee remarked. “It’s been an honor to join this tour.”
Lee began with a 7-under 63 in the first round, initially trailing Canter by one stroke. He posted three birdies in his first five holes and four in his first seven on Friday to overtake Canter. After consecutive bogeys at holes 9 and 10, he reclaimed two strokes with birdies at positions 13 and 14.
“I’m not getting ahead of myself, but a win would be incredible,” Lee stated, reflecting on his career as a journeyman with victories only on the Asian and Korean tours. “Playing alongside these elite players and achieving a major victory here would be a lifelong dream.”
Johnson, who hasn’t won a LIV event since Las Vegas in February 2024, came close to reclaiming the lead after adding three birdies to his last five holes on Friday, securing a tie for second place.
“I’ve been swinging consistently throughout the year, but I haven’t quite put it all together yet,” Johnson said. “I’m finally driving the ball well and hitting my irons accurately. The game has always been tight, but now I have more confidence.”
Johnson’s team, 4Aces GC, leads the team standings by five shots at 31 under par over two rounds. Torque GC, captained by Chilean Joaquin Niemann, follows closely at 26 under.
“We’ve got a strong team,” Johnson noted. “With one event remaining and two days left, anything can happen. But we’re in a great position.”
Detry, Johnson’s teammate, contributed seven birdies in his 64 to help 4Aces maintain its lead. Belgian Thomas Pieters also played well with a 65, including seven birdies, and is tied fifth at 9 under par.
Michael La Sasso, a 22-year-old rookie, shot 10-under-par 60 on Friday, briefly challenging for the lead. La Sasso started his round at 15 under and birdied nine of his first 14 holes. Although he finished with a closing birdie at the par-5 14th, he admitted, “I started leaving putts short, which is funny how that works.”
When asked if he anticipated a breakthrough round, La Sasso replied, “Yes, but then I started missing putts. It’s odd how that happens.”
“Not really, just focused on the plan. A few more putts started to drop, and suddenly I thought, ‘This could be real,'”
