The opening round of LIV Golf Adelaide delivered high drama on Friday, with Sam Horsfield surging to the top of the leaderboard while Patrick Reed set the tone early with a stunning hole-in-one at the Watering Hole.
Horsfield Leads the Pack
Majesticks GC’s Sam Horsfield posted a brilliant 6-under 66, emerging as the solo leader after a bogey-free round at The Grange Golf Club. The Englishman, who has been in fine form, has recorded just one bogey in his last 60 holes, carrying over momentum from his strong showing at LIV Golf Riyadh.
“I feel like I’m playing really, really good,” Horsfield said after his round. “It’s just nice to see that momentum from last week carry over and be able to put a low one out there today.”
Backing up his stellar play were Torque GC teammates Joaquin Niemann and Carlos Ortiz, who both carded 67s, helping their team take the top spot in the team standings at 8-under.
Reed’s Spectacular Hole-in-One
The biggest roar of the day, however, belonged to Patrick Reed, who delivered an unforgettable moment less than 20 minutes after the shotgun start. His 8-iron from 151 yards found the cup at the par-3 Watering Hole, sending the lively Australian crowd into a frenzy.
“It’s awesome to give the fans what they want,” Reed said of his fifth competitive ace. “That’s why we want to be out here: Golf, but louder.”
His hole-in-one marked the ninth ace in LIV Golf history, reminiscent of Chase Koepka’s famous ace at the same hole two years ago. Despite the moment of brilliance, Reed’s overall round ended at 1-over 73.
Top Contenders in the Hunt
The leaderboard remains packed with talent, as several major champions positioned themselves within striking distance.
- Dustin Johnson (68), Bryson DeChambeau (68), and Brooks Koepka (69) all sit inside the top 10, staying within reach of Horsfield.
- Ortiz held the solo lead for much of the afternoon before late bogeys dropped him slightly back.
- Niemann, last year’s third-place finisher in Adelaide, looked poised for a share of the lead until a bogey on his penultimate hole.
For DeChambeau, the round was a rollercoaster. After going 4-under through his first nine holes, a costly double-bogey on the ninth momentarily derailed his charge. However, a hot putter down the stretch kept him in contention.
“This is one of the best LIV events, if not the best, on our schedule,” DeChambeau said. “It’s a joy coming back here with the fans and the atmosphere. This is what LIV Golf is about.”
Defending Champions Struggle
While the Australian fans passionately backed defending champions Ripper GC, the team failed to find its rhythm and will enter the weekend 11 shots behind the leaders.
Niemann, who won the Australian Open in 2023, fed off the energy of the home crowd, stating, “The Australian crowd is really good. You can feel the energy. They enjoy when I make a putt, and that gets me going.”
Looking Ahead
With Horsfield leading the charge and a stacked field close behind, the second round promises more fireworks at LIV Golf Adelaide. Will the Englishman claim his first LIV Golf title, or will one of the major champions surge ahead?
All eyes will be on The Grange this weekend as the action heats up.
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