Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson opened with four-under-par 67s to share the first-round lead at LIV Golf Chicago.
The two Major champions hold a one-shot advantage over a group of six players that includes Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm at Bolingbrook Golf Club.
South African Dean Burmester is joined by a pack of Major champions one back in a tied for third after firing a opening round 67.
On the team leaderboard, South Africa’s Stinger GC lead at six under, one clear of Garcia’s Fireballs GC. Johnson’s 4Aces GC and DeChambeau’s Crushers GC are tied for third on three under. The Stingers are chasing their first team victory in 31 events.
Johnson, who finished last at LIV Golf UK two weeks ago, rebounded with a round that included five birdies in a nine-hole stretch. It’s the second time this season he’s followed a last-place finish with a first-round lead. He hit 14 greens in regulation to sit in strong position for a first win of 2025.
Garcia, who won in Hong Kong earlier this season, found form with the putter, needing just 23 putts – the fewest in the field. The Fireballs GC captain entered the week sixth in the season-long standings and is now projected to move into fourth.
Rahm’s tie for third in Chicago could impact the individual title race. Points leader Joaquin Niemann is tied for 45th after a 74. A win for Rahm coupled with a low finish from Niemann could see the Spaniard move into top spot heading into next week’s season finale in Indianapolis.
Mickelson, 55, carded a bogey-free 68 through 14 holes to start the week in 20th place on the points list, with projections moving him to 11th.
<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span>Photo: Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Article Link: Garcia, Johnson share lead at LIV Golf Chicago