Oct 29, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Sam Horsfield lines up his putt for the 17th green during the second round of the season finale of the LIV Golf series at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images Sam Horsfield shot a bogey-free 66 to take the opening-round lead Friday at LIV Golf Adelaide in Australia.
England’s Horsfield was the only player to go without a bogey at The Grange Golf Club, and he has turned in just one bogey over the past 60 holes, including action last week at the season-opening LIV Golf Riyadh.
“I feel like I’m playing really, really good,” said Horsfield, who is in search of his first LIV Golf win. “Played solid last week. It’s just nice to see that momentum from last week carry over and be able to put a low one out there today and try to do more of the same this weekend.”
Horsfield will take a one-stroke lead over Carlos Ortiz and Joaquin Niemann into action on Saturday.
It’s a packed leaderboard, with Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Abraham Ancer of Mexico tied at 4-under after rounds of 68. Another shot back are Brooks Koepka, England’s Richard Bland, Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and Henrik Stenson of Sweden.
Mexico’s Ortiz was atop the leaderboard until he made bogeys on two of his final three holes. A late bogey also cost Niemann, of Chile, a share of the lead.
Still, their rounds propelled their team, Torque GC, into the team lead at 8-under par, two shots ahead of Legion XIII, Fireballs GC and 4Aces GC.
They credited the fans, in part, for their hot start.
“The Australian crowd is really good. They kind of like me a little bit, I think, and you can feel the energy,” Niemann said. “There’s a few guys following around, really energized, enjoying my shots, enjoying when I was making a putt. So that gets me going.”
Patrick Reed turned in the day’s biggest shot, a hole-in-one on the 151-yard, par-3 No. 12 — his second hole of the day, given the shotgun start. It was the ninth ace in LIV Golf history.
His hole-in-one set off a frenzy around what is known as the Watering Hole on the course.
“It’s awesome to give the fans what they want,” said Reed, who finished with a 73. “That’s why we want to be out here: Golf, but louder.”
Defending champion Brendan Steele of HyFlyers GC shot a 3-over 75 and stands tied for 48th.
–Field Level Media
