LIV Golf: Henrik Stenson of Sweden had his duties as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain removed after joining the LIV Golf Invitational Series, but he had a successful opening day on the Saudi-sponsored circuit on Thursday in Bedminster.
Stenson and Patrick Reed are tied for the first-round lead after Stenson achieved a seven-under-par 64 at Trump National Bedminster.
On every nine holes, Stenson recorded four birdies, with just one bogey coming at the par-3 seventh hole.
“It is a tough golf course, and I mean, I felt extremely focused today, and I was right into my game,” he said. “You can’t ease off on your concentration around here.
“Yeah, good crowd support out there, and as I said, it’s only the first round that we’ve played, so yeah, I should be able to give you better feedback as we move along and I’ve played a few more rounds. If I continue to shoot seven-under it’s going to be a good one.”
After making his first bogey of the day at the par-4 third hole, Reed made five birdies in a six-hole stretch from holes four to nine.
“I kind of felt like I was putting the ball in the right place, and around a golf course like this, even though the greens are relatively large you’ve got to put the ball in the right spots,” Reed said.
“I felt like I left myself below the hole most of the day so I was able to be aggressive with the putter, and with how pure these greens are, once one goes in, it kind of felt like I was able to kind of get on that run.”
Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand is in third place with a score of five under par, while Dustin Johnson and Carlos Ortiz of Mexico are tied for fourth.
At three under par, Brooks Koepka, Charles Howell III, Martin Kaymer of Germany, and Ian Poulter of England tie for sixth place.
In the 48-player field, Phil Mickelson is tied for 43rd place at four over par. On the first hole, a supporter heckled him while making fun of the circuit’s association with the Saudi royal family.
Asked if that annoyed him, Mickelson said, “No, I had a really good day. The people here have always been great. They’ve really treated me well. I had a really good day with the fans.”
In the team format of the competition, Johnson, Reed, Pat Perez, and Talor Gooch of 4 Aces GC are in the lead at 11-under. Stenson, Poulter, Englishmen Lee Westwood and Sam Horsfield, and Majesticks GC are in second place at 10-under.
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