LIV Golf Andalucia leaderboard: Round 2 scores from Valderrama as Talor Gooch takes the lead

Talor Gooch joked he's worked harder on his game this year than his standout 2023 season with LIV Golf after he set up his first chance for victory on the PIF-backed league in more than two years.

Gooch joined the breakaway tour in 2022 and was the league's individual champion 12 months later. 

But the former PGA Tour pro has struggled to hit the same level of consistency this season. 

The 33-year-old American has set up a golden opportunity, though, to claim his first win on the rival league at their stop in Andalucia since he won at the same venue in 2023.

Gooch went round Valderrama in five-under 66 today to and will take a four-shot lead over Dustin Johnson into the final round. 

Branden Grace, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed and Sergio Garcia are also inside the top 10.

"In general on LIV, there's really no lead that's safe, especially at a golf course like this," Gooch said. 

"Things can happen quickly, and you're one shot away from a big number. There's definitely no sense of relaxed or calmness."

Gooch added: "I know DJ is right behind me. I don't know who else is close by. But there's just too many good players out here to feel like I'm comfortable just showing up and winning this tomorrow. 

"I've got to play a really good round of golf to get this thing done."

Gooch said he's been digging out a lot of dirt on the range to try and rediscover his form. 

"I've just put so much time in," he said.  "And I've joked with people, I think, I would say every two months of this year if you take January and February versus all of 2023, I've probably hit more balls in January and February of this year than I did all of 2023. 

"I've probably hit more balls in March and April of this year than I did in all of 2023.

"Again, it's golf. It comes and it goes. We've done a good job in the past when I haven't had great stuff of figuring out how to still have some success."