After one last mighty lash into the thin air at LIV Golf Mexico City, Bryson DeChambeau pumped both arms, celebrated with his fans – and took the solo lead after Friday’s highly entertaining opening round at Club de Golf Chapultepec.
The Crushers GC Captain birdied his final hole, the 396-yard par-four 1st, by driving the green and two-putting from 35 feet, providing the finishing touch on an eight-under 63 that leaves him one stroke ahead of two other captains, Legion XIII’s Jon Rahm and Ripper GC’s Cameron Smith.
Charl Schwartzel was the best-placed South African (T23) after a one-under 70 with Stinger GC teammate Dean Burmester a further stroke behind.
The Crushers and Rippers are tied for the team lead at 15 under, six shots clear of Smash GC.
DeChambeau, seeking his first LIV Golf win since 2023, averaged 367 yards on his 14 drives on Friday, including two drives of 400-plus yards. His final drive at the first hole travelled 372.9 yards. The 63 is his lowest-ever opening round in LIV Golf.
“It was fun hitting the ball far,” DeChambeau said. “Fun to finish off with a nice bang on the last hole.”
In all, the field produced 11 drives of 400 yards or longer in the 7,900-foot elevation, with Smash Captain Brooks Koepka having the longest drive at 435 yards on the 11th hole. There were 66 more drives between 370 and 399 yards, giving the Mexico City fans plenty to cheer for during LIV Golf’s debut appearance in the nation’s capital.
“It’s always been exciting around here,” said RangeGoats GC Captain Bubba Watson, who is in solo fourth after a five-under 66. “They love their sports. I’m glad they come out to watch us play golf and watch some of these guys hit it pretty far.”
DeChambeau started his day by driving the 316-yard par-four 2nd and holing a 22-foot putt for eagle. He followed with birdies on the next two holes, and also a birdie at the par-five 7th (with a 379-yard drive) to move to five under after six holes.
But any thoughts of another sub-60 round disappeared during the next eight holes in which he played even par.
“There was a lot of moments where I felt like I was going to get it to nine, 10 under and there were moments where I’m like, man, I could be three under or two under easily if I don’t get my act in shape,” DeChambeau said. “It’s a teeter-totter golf course.”
Rahm, the 2024 LIV Golf individual champion, opened with three consecutive birdies and was five under through seven before suffering a pair of bogeys. He played the back nine in a bogey-free four under and briefly held the solo lead after draining a 39-foot birdie putt at the 13th.
“What better way to start it than with three birdies in a row,” he said. “That just set the tone. Felt really comfortable on the greens all day. Couldn’t really have asked for a much better score.”
Smith, who like DeChambeau is seeking his first LIV Golf win since 2023, also started with three consecutive birdies. He had six birdies in his first eight holes en route to shooting 64, his lowest round of the season.
“I’ve put myself in a really good spot after round one,” said Smith, whose Rippers won the previous LIV Golf tournament in Miami, with his teammate Marc Leishman claiming the individual title. “Hopefully, I can go out there over the weekend and give it my all and hopefully walk away with a trophy.”
Having finished on the 1st hole Friday, DeChambeau will now start his second round on the same hole Saturday as part of the leaders’ group that includes Rahm and Smith. With course conditions firming up, the long drives should continue to be abundant.
“It’s going to get firm and fast out here,” DeChambeau said. “Be a lot of fun this weekend.”
Photo: LIV Golf
