Dustin Johnson has stormed into the lead at the LIV Golf event in Tulsa after being given a 'spicy' pairing with a former team-mate.
LIV Golf organisers were expecting fireworks when they pitted Johnson with Talor Gooch for the first day of this weekend's event. Gooch left Johnson's 4Aces Golf Club (GC) to join Bubba Watson's RangeGoats GC during the offseason, a move that caused tension.
Johnson has made comments about Gooch's exit in the press, and the latter responded by winning back-to-back events in Adelaide and Singapore. Yet Johnson is now laughing again after opening up a two-shot lead heading into the final day of the Tulsa event.
Johnson shot a seven-under 63 on Saturday to move to 14-under for the tournament. It was a near-perfect round for the two-time major winner, who produced eight birdies and just one bogey to move two shots clear of Branden Grace in second.
Gooch, meanwhile, is tied-38th after shooting a one-over 71 on Saturday. This weekend's LIV Golf event is taking place at at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The row between started when Gooch switched teams to link up with his friend Harold Varner III. After 4Aces won the team prize in Miami last year, Johnson told Gooch he "should enjoy being on stage... because that was the last time he's going to do that".
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Gooch responded by going top of LIV Golf's standings, leaving Johnson down in 25th spot. Yet the 4Aces are still doing well. After they won the team event in Adelaide, Johnson said: "I'm glad we snipped him... just to give it to him a little bit more."
"Where's DJ [Johnson] right now?" Gooch laughed after winning in Singapore, with RangeGoats also victorious. Johnson's superb performance in Tulsa, though, has left him in touching distance of his first LIV Golf victory of the year.
Johnson appears to have regained his form ahead of next weekend's USPGA Championship. The second major of the year takes place at Oak Hill Country Club in Pittsford, New York, with two-time winner Justin Thomas looking to defend his crown.
LIV Golf players will be allowed to compete in all four men's majors this year. There was a feeling the likes of Johnson and Gooch would be banned from playing in such events for joining LIV Golf due to the tour dividing opinion in the professional game.
LIV Golf is financed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, with Johnson earning an eyewatering $35.6million last year. Players are likely to earn far more cash by snubbing golf's two established tours - the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour - for LIV Golf.
That has caused tension between LIV Golf stars and those who have remained on the PGA Tour and/or the DP World Tour. Saudi Arabia has a poor human rights record, with the country's involvement in golf being described as 'sportswashing'.
On allowing LIV Golf players to compete in the majors, the PGA of America's CEO Seth Waugh admitted in February: "Our decisions are always based on what’s in the best interest of the PGA of America and conducting the best championship possible.
"Sadly the current division in the professional game is not good for the sport or the future of the game. We hope there might be some resolution soon."
