LIV Chicago leaderboard: Round 1

Position

Player

Country

Score to Par

1

Sergio Garcia

Spain

-4 

1

Dustin Johnson

United States

-4 

3

Jon Rahm

Spain

-3 

3

Dean Burmester

South Africa

-3 

3

Bryson DeChambeau

United States

-3 

3

Tyrrell Hatton

England

-3 

3

Phil Mickelson

United States

-3 

3

Brooks Koepka

United States

-3 

Sergio Garcia shares the lead with Dustin Johnson after 18 holes at LIV Golf Chicago. 

Garcia and the big American managed to card a four-under 67s on a hot and windy day at Bolingbrook Golf Club. 

The Spaniard’s rollercoaster round included eight birdies and four bogeys. 

Johnson, meanwhile, bounced back from his last-place finish at LIV Golf UK. 

Perhaps the big American was buoyed by the return of his usual caddie and brother Austin on the bag. 

The duo are one clear of six players on three-under.

Jon Rahm, Dean Burmester, Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka all carded opening 68s.

Garcia will still believe he could make a sensational return to the Ryder Cup this September. 

The 2017 Masters champion re-joined the DP World Tour with hopes of making his 11th appearance in the biennial contest.

He has not performed how he wanted to in the majors this year, but has revealed he is in communication with skipper Luke Donald about making the team. 

Rahm is chasing his second individual title with the PIF-backed breakaway and needs a win here this weekend if he is to have any chance of catching individual standings leader Joaquin Niemann. 

The 26-year-old Chilean has captured five wins this season. 

At the other end of the leaderboard, former European Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson started slowly. 

Poulter carded a 74 whilst the Swede was one worse. Both golfers are in danger of being relegated.

Lee Westwood’s place in the breakaway tour is also under threat, but he started with a 72. 

The former World No.1 has teamed up with his former caddie Billy Foster for a two-week stretch. 

What they said:

Dustin Johnson

“I need to sharpen up a few things. Definitely need to drive it a little straighter and wedge it a little bit better, too. 

“I had quite a few good looks from the fairway with wedges that I did not hit as close as I would have liked to, but I putted good, and I feel really comfortable with the putter. 

“The greens are rolling nice. Just got to get myself on the green.”

Jon Rahm

“I don’t think I need to worry too much about what Joaco is doing. I need to win regardless. I need a bit of that fortune of him not having his best.”

Sergio Garcia

“My thoughts are the same; just keep playing, keep doing good things and be patient out there because it’s not easy. You’ve got to realize that. If you’re swinging nicely like I was today, there’s chances to be taken there.

“But you have to be patient because it’s tricky.”

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