Live leaderboard: Round 2 of Tour Championship

Marc Leishman is rounding back into form just in time for his title defense at the Farmers Insurance Open, but he'll be playing with two others who have enjoyed uncommon success at Torrey Pines: Jon Rahm and Jason Day. PGA TOUR LIVE's streaming broadcast from Torrey will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday. Related: Tee times | The First Look, How to Watch The Featured Groups will include stars like Farmers ambassador Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, plus former Farmers winners Jason Day (twice), Phil Mickelson (twice), Jon Rahm, Bubba Watson and Leishman. They will be competing at Torrey North (one round) and the tougher Torrey South (three, for those who make the cut). The Featured Groups, which will tee off at 1:30 and 1:40 p.m. ET each day at Torrey Pines, are listed below. To prepare you for PGA TOUR LIVE's coverage, our roundtable of writers convened to answer a burning question around each group. Enjoy. THURSDAY Marc Leishman, Jason Day, Jon Rahm – Call this the Clash of the Titans group, with the threesome of Day, defending champ Leishman, and Rahm accounting for four Farmers victories - Day having won it twice. What happens when strength meets strength meets strength? CAMERON MORFIT: I'll go straight chalk and pick Rahm. He's not only the highest ranked player in this power group, but he also has the lowest scoring average (69.31) of the three at the Farmers. A win, a runner-up and a T5 in just four starts? Not too shabby. SEAN MARTIN: I'll be curious to hear what Rahm has to say about the injury that forced him out of The American Express. Leishman has turned things around just in time for his title defense, coming off a T4 at the Sony Open in Hawaii and 13th-place finish at Augusta National. He has five top-10s in 12 starts at Torrey Pines, including last year's win and two runners-up. BEN EVERILL: I'll have to check with our stats gurus, but I wonder if the same three players have played in the same group in all four rounds while comprising the final group in the final round. It might sound completely implausible, but I would not be surprised to see all three there when the whips are cracking on Sunday. Day is the mystery - how will he go with his new mixed bag of clubs and altered swing under Chris Como? He has a happy hunting ground to test it all out at least. Leishman is a great chance to go back-to-back. Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Matthew Wolff – It's been more than a year since McIlroy, making his 2021 debut, won on TOUR. Koepka is coming off an injury-riddled 2020 and didn't win, either, and nor did Wolff. Which player is most overdue for a bounce-back? MORFIT: McIlroy looked good in Abu Dhabi last week and has a T3 and T5 in his only two Farmers starts. On the other hand, Koepka hasn't played the Farmers since missing the cut in '17, and Wolff opened with a 76 last year on the way to a T21. I'll take Rory. MARTIN: After what we saw last week in Abu Dhabi - where he was lapped by Tyrrell Hatton in the final round — it's definitely Rory. Brooks was injured. Wolff is still just 21 and he had his chances, including in a couple majors. They have their reasons why they weren't in the winner's circle. Rory's drought is inexplicable. EVERILL: I have to tack on with the other guys here. Rory McIlroy is capable of winning every tournament he plays, and last week's form is important. Koepka and Wolff will be better for the run in the desert last week also - particularly Wolff who was rattled by an unfortunate Rules incident. FRIDAY Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed – Fowler is still waiting to see the full fruits of his most recent swing change, while his friend, Watson, has famously never had a lesson. When it comes to knowing about the swing, are you a knowledge-seeker or an ignorance-is-bliss guy? MORFIT: I'm with Watson on this one; the less I'm thinking about mechanics, the better I play. And on those occasions where I tried to fix my swing to be more technically sound, it never really worked. Of course, I'm not extravagantly talented like these guys, either. MARTIN: I'm in the worst possible place, right in the middle of those two extremes. I'll see something on TV, check out how it looks in front of my bathroom mirror and then commit to the change without ever hitting a ball. By the time I make it out to the range, I'm in the middle of an overhaul on par with Tiger's transition from Harmon to Haney. EVERILL: Those who know me know the swing I turned up with when working on the PGA TOUR was as homemade as Watson's just not on the same planet in terms of skill. After much friendly ribbing from Australian players, I was sent to be fixed and was on my way before having children cut into my time. So now, it's a combo of both, and I would NEVER win a pretty swing contest. It does however win a bit of match play cash. Funnily enough I recently introduced a Bubba taught deliberate slice into my repertoire as my grip only usually allows for right to left ball flight. Xander Schauffele, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth – Schauffele and Mickelson are both San Diego guys, while Spieth is a former world No. 1, but this group has struggled here of late. Schauffele has missed the cut in four of five starts, two-time Farmers champion Mickelson (2000-01) hasn't seen the weekend in three of his last five, and Spieth's best in five tries is T19. Who is most overdue at Torrey Pines? MORFIT: Mickelson never warmed to the redesigned Torrey South, and Spieth isn't his best on poa annua greens. The fluke is Schauffele. There's no reason why his record should be so poor, except that it's his hometown tournament. Maybe he needs to want it less? No way he doesn't start to improve. MARTIN: I think it has to be Xander, who seems to have a knack for playing well anywhere. Since the start of last season, he has 21 top-25s in his 23 starts. But his best finish in five trips to Torrey Pines is T25. Shrug emoji. EVERILL: I wish Xander was Australian. There. I said it. Schauffele is one of my favorites on TOUR because he is gritty and fights for everything. He loves punching above his weight class. His record at Torrey is nothing other than trying too hard like Cameron suggests. If he can relax into the week, he can win. It happens a lot on TOUR. We haven't had a local win THE PLAYERS in ages, Jason Day struggles at Memorial. Some guys just feel the home pressure a little too much. Phil can't keep it straight enough here, sadly, and Jordan is on the improve, but not sure Torrey is where we will see the fruit.

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Beware the underdog. Before you dismiss the International Team ahead of the 2022 Presidents Cup, take a moment to remember the 2008 Masters. South Africa’s Trevor Immelman won the green jacket just a few months after emergency surgery to remove a tumor from his abdomen. Tiger Woods was the runner-up. Fourteen years later, Immelman will try to author another upset. He will be the International Team’s captain for the upcoming Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow. His squad, seeking its first victory on U.S. soil, will face a home team that’s coming off a record rout of Europe in the Ryder Cup. After a heart-breaking loss at Royal Melbourne in 2019, the Internationals are 1-11-1 all-time in the biennial team competition and haven’t tasted victory since 1998. Forget Mt. Everest, this is a climb to outer space. But as the majority writes off the International challenge, the steel inside the talent that will join Immelman’s squad grows. In Melbourne, Captain Ernie Els solidified a bond that defied the cultural differences of the team. Immelman was watching closely as one of Els’ assistants. Young stars without old scars took up the challenge and brought enthusiasm to the cause. And now history beckons. They have the chance to be part of something that will be remembered for a long time. A chance to put their legacy on the sport they love. The expectations and pressure will all lay with the U.S. Team and Captain Davis Love III. Most think they are unbeatable. Beware the underdog. International Team candidates have been accumulating points since the 2021 Open Championship on a proprietary calculation that operates similarly to the Official World Golf Ranking. Points earned from the 2022 PGA Championship through the 2022 BMW Championship will get a 25% premium. To help you prepare for the upcoming Presidents Cup, here are a dozen names to consider for the next International squad. This is supposed to be a fun exercise so don’t yell and scream because your favorite player wasn’t included (players are listed in alphabetical order).  Abraham Ancer  Country: Mexico Age: 30 Previous Presidents Cups: 1 (2019)  Current Presidents Cup ranking: 4 Ancer is no stranger to feeling like an underdog. In fact, he revels in it. The pride of Odessa College may be small in stature but he’s large in heart. Ancer’s performance in Melbourne was awesome despite the fact he went down in Singles to Tiger Woods (a Sunday showdown Ancer asked for). His 3-1-1 record in his International Team debut might have been enough on its own to get him another crack at the U.S. Team, but he’s improved even further since then. His long-awaited first PGA TOUR win came on the big stage when he took out the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in 2021. Ancer, who emphasizes driving accuracy in an age of power, has been firmly ensconced in the top 20 of the world ranking since that win. His team-first attitude exemplifies what the new Internationals are all about. He was runner-up at Quail Hollow in the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship, showing he has a handle on the course, as well. Lucas Herbert  Age: 26 Previous Presidents Cups: 0  The young Australian is a quirky character who in the past hasn’t always come across as a team kind of guy. But the experience gained from two wins in Europe, followed by his maiden PGA TOUR win at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship late in 2021, make him a distinct candidate, as does his maturation as a person. The lofty self-confidence Herbert carried early in life was misunderstood by others at times, but as his communication skills have evolved, so too have his stocks. The 26-year-old has a serious passion to be part of the squad and won’t be afraid of any opponent. Herbert could be used to fill numerous pairings given the all-around strength of his game. He hits it long off the tee – great for Quail Hollow – but proved on the short Bermuda course that he can win without a reliance on the big dog. He also was one of the top putters on the DP World Tour (European Tour) in 2021. Garrick Higgo  Age: 22 Previous Presidents Cups: 0  As a young South African on the rise, Higgo is one player Captain Immelman will certainly have his eye on. He’s been a fan for a long time, having captained the youngster in the Junior Presidents Cup in 2017. Now the 22-year-old is looking to be the first player to go from the junior team to the senior squad in the competition’s history. Higgo is another player flushed with healthy distance off the tee and he has already won three times on the DP World Tour (European Tour) and once on the PGA TOUR (2021 Palmetto Championship). He shows wisdom and maturity beyond his tender years and does not appear easily intimidated. Forced to grow up fast after losing his father in a car accident as a 9-year-old, Higgo has also had the benefit of mentorship from golf legend, and former International captain, Gary Player. Sungjae Im Country: South Korea Age: 23 Previous Presidents Cups: 1 (2019) Current Presidents Cup ranking: 1 Im will be an especially important cog in the team given his ball-striking prowess and ability to score under all conditions. His 2019 teammates were in awe as he displayed every shot in the book with expert precision, earning the nickname ‘Iron Byron.’ He backed up their confidence with a 3-1-1 record in Melbourne, despite being just 21 at the time. Since then, he’s won twice on the PGA TOUR, including the recent Shriners Children’s Open. His accuracy off the tee makes him a great option for Immelman in both team formats, while he’s a candidate to play all five sessions because he’s no stranger to playing copious amounts of golf as one of the TOUR’s most regular players. Marc Leishman Country: Australia  Age: 38  Previous Presidents Cups: 4 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)  Current Presidents Cup ranking: 8  A selfless performer who deserves nothing more than being on a winning Presidents Cup team. Leishman is now a six-time TOUR winner and, with Cameron Smith, has the potential to provide a killer duo for team play. While the two were surprisingly not used together in 2019 after the analytics suggested they were better suited with other partners, they’ve since combined to win the 2021 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Leishman’s 4-9-5 record over four Cups might not read well, but the affable Aussie remains undefeated in Singles play. Hideki Matsuyama  Country: Japan Age: 29 Previous Presidents Cups: 4 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)  Current President Cup ranking: 5 This is shaping up as a watershed Presidents Cup for Matsuyama, who had an incredible 2021 by becoming the first Japanese man to win a major championship. He also added a win in his native Japan, at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, to his green jacket. Heading towards what would be his fifth International Team, the time has come for Matsuyama to take a strong leadership role both on the course and in the team room. His record of 6-7-4 is admirable, as it’s come while playing for four losing teams. The sting of a late collapse in the 2019 Singles should inspire a will to atone. Matsuyama was 4-up over Tony Finau through 10 before surrendering the lead over the next four holes. He managed to regain the lead on 16, but let a vital full point slip away by three-putting the 17th hole. If the International Team is to prosper, it’s almost certain Matsuyama needs to be a key factor. It’s a big ask because while his ball striking is usually top notch, his putter is streaky . He’s no stranger to Quail Hollow, having finished T5 at the 2017 PGA Championship. Victory was in his grasp on Sunday, giving him more motivation to atone. Joaquin Niemann Country: Chile Age: 23  Previous Presidents Cups: 1 (2019) The unfriendly 0-3-1 record during his International team debut is certainly something to mull over, but so too is his maturation since the trip to Royal Melbourne. Niemann hasn’t added to his lone TOUR win since his Presidents Cup debut, but he has shown a true passion for the cause. His 2021 featured three runner-up finishes, so it’s not like his form is poor. His infectious personality is also important for the team dynamic. His youthful exuberance rubs off on his teammates. He also shapes as a possible partner for Abraham Ancer, particularly if Leishman jumps in with Smith. Louis Oosthuizen  Country: South Africa Age: 39 Previous Presidents Cups: 4 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)  Current Presidents Cup ranking: 3  The South African veteran is a rare International player who can boast a winning record in this competition. His 9-6-4 mark should be enough for Immelman to ensure his compatriot is on the squad (if he’s healthy). Oosthuizen’s 2021 season was one of success, but also heartache. He produced eight top-10 finishes, four of them runners-up, but was without the elusive second PGA TOUR win. One of those near misses was in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he and Charl Schwartzel fell in a playoff against Leishman and Smith. Oosthuizen also has top-3 finishes in four of the last five majors, though no wins in that span. As he nears 40, another big win seems deserved – as does being part of a historic, and victorious, Presidents Cup team. If it came at a venue where he had a near miss (T2, 2017 PGA Championship), then all the sweeter. Adam Scott  Country: Australia Age: 41 Previous Presidents Cups: 9 (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019) Current Presidents Cup ranking: 9 What better way to celebrate a record 10th Presidents Cup appearance than with a win. You can be sure the veteran Aussie would celebrate such a moment with tremendous vigor. Scott has the dubious distinction of owning the most match losses (22) and most Foursomes losses (9) in Presidents Cup history. He may hold those numbers for the rest of time, but they’d be blips on the consciousness if he led an International Team to the biggest upset of all-time. Much like Matsuyama, Scott’s issues in the event can be partially attributed to his efforts on the greens. While his swing has long been known as one of the silkiest in the world, and his ball-striking when at its best is what helped him to the world No. 1 ranking in 2014, his putting can be unpredictable. When Scott putts just halfway decent, he contends. When he has an off week, he becomes ripe for a match play plucking. Cameron Smith  Country: Australia Age: 28 Previous Presidents Cups: 1 (2019)  Current Presidents Cup ranking: 2 Smith is the potential spiritual leader this squad needs. He lives for team play. Two of his three PGA TOUR wins have come at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, further proof he could become the Ian Poulter of the Internationals. Smith played just three times in the 2019 Presidents Cup, and not at all in Four-Balls, after the analytics pointed elsewhere. He managed a 1-1-1 record with an inspirational Singles win over Justin Thomas, where he overturned an early three-hole deficit, to keep the team’s Cup hopes alive. Since then, he’s proven his worth tenfold, winning his first individual TOUR event, and saluting with Leishman in New Orleans. He has also been a central figure in a few majors, not to mention the fact he sports one of the best mullets in golf history. Erik van Rooyen Country: South Africa Age: 31 Previous Presidents Cups: 0 Current Presidents Cup ranking: 7 There were key moments in 2021 that saw van Rooyen hit the major headlines – one of which the South African wasn’t proud of. But they showed glimpses of why this man could be a great addition to the International team. He won his maiden PGA TOUR event at the Barracuda Championship. The Barracuda’s modified Stableford format, where birdies and eagles are worth extra points, showed van Rooyen can go low when it counts. That mentality is crucial in a Presidents Cup. Then he opened the FedExCup Playoffs with back-to-back top-10s to qualify for his first TOUR Championship and prove he can hang with the best. He made headlines earlier in the year at the PGA Championship for smashing a tee marker in a violent outburst of frustration. Van Rooyen publicly apologized for the incident, but it did show a distinct fire inside. If Immelman can focus that fire, van Rooyen could be a breakout star. Jhonattan Vegas Country: Venezuela Age: 37 Previous Presidents Cups: 1 (2017) Current Presidents Cup ranking: 12 Vegas has a palpable enthusiasm for the Presidents Cup, and it hasn’t waned in the four years since his debut. A three-time TOUR winner, Vegas has the game to threaten the U.S. players if he can bring his best to the table. His lone point in the 2017 Cup came in a Singles win over Jordan Spieth and he’s coming off a 2021 season that boasted three runners-up. Vegas has the length game to give Quail Hollow a shake and has a previous top-10 at the course. MORE NAMES TO CONSIDER There are many other candidates that could find their way in the mix. Some to keep in mind include: Christiaan Bezuidenhout: South African with four worldwide wins since 2019. Corey Conners: Canadian ball-striking machine was unlucky not to be part of the 2019 squad. Jason Day: Australian has a Wells Fargo Championship win (2018) and was T9 at the 2017 PGA but needs to show a renewed desire to be part of the team. Cam Davis: Big-hitting Aussie broke through with a win on TOUR last season and could push for selection. MacKenzie Hughes: Showed aptitude for the big stage at both Open’s in 2021. Takumi Kanaya: Former amateur standout is following in compatriot Matsuyama’s footsteps. A matter of when, not if, he will join the Presidents Cup ranks. Min Woo Lee: After Herbert, the brother of LPGA star Minjee and DP World Tour winner is the next in line to fly the Australian flag forthe International Team. Carlos Ortiz: Broke a long drought of Mexican winners on the PGA TOUR in 2020. Mito Pereira: TOUR Rookie with the potential to make a run at the squad and join compatriot Niemann as Chilean reps.

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Although struggles with the so-called “Bear Trap” kept him from being a true contender, Tiger Woods shot a final-round 70 in the Honda Classic on Sunday to finish 12th in just his third tournament this year following spinal fusion surgery in April.

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