The American Dustin Johnson carded Friday a 63 stroke, nine under par, to lead the LIV Invitational in Chicago with three impacts before Australian Cameron Smith.
At Rich Harvest Farms, about 50 miles from Chicago, Dustin Johnson sealed nine ‘birdies’, with no ‘bogeys’ to take advantage of in the first of three days of competition planned by LIVthe new golf league funded by the government of Saudi Arabia that, based on millionaire prizes, rivals the PGA Tour.
British Open champion Cameron Smith also made no mistake and his six birdies allowed him to put an end to Johnson’s big day.
In the third position was placed Matthew Wolff, with 65 effectswhich paid for a ‘bogey’ with four ‘birdies’ and an ‘eagle’.
Brooks Koepka, double champion of the US Open and the PGA Championship, finished the first round in 70 shots, two under par, as did Phil Mickelson, who paid a triple bogey on the fifth hole.
Mexican Carlos Ortiz is the best Hispanic player at two under parwith Chilean Joaquín Niemann carding a 71 stroke (one under par), while Mexican Abraham Ancer finished one over par.
Eugenio López Chacarra was the best Spaniard with one under par, while Sergio García signed at par. Spaniard David Puig also finished the first round with one over par.
The Chicago tournament runs through next Sunday.
Classification after the first day
1. Dustin Johnson (USA) -9 (63)
2. Cameron Smith (AUS) -6 (66)
3. Matthew Wolf (USA) -5 (67)
4. Matt Jones (AUS) -4 (68)
. Charles Howell (USA) -4 (68)
. Henrik Stenson (SWE) -4 (68)
. Lee Westwood (ENG) -4 (68)
8. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) -3 (69)
. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) -3 (69)
. Bryson Dechambeau (USA) -3 (69)
…
TheEugenio Lopez Chacarra (ESP) -1
Sergio Garcia (ESP) 0
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
