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SCMP Sport

Jon Rahm and Adrian Meronk each shot an eight-under-par 62 on Friday to take the lead after the first round of the LIV Golf Jeddah event in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia.
Rahm had a bogey-free round, with Meronk mixing seven birdies, an eagle and a bogey.
One shot back and tied for third after rounds of 63 are Bryson DeChambeau, Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann. Another South African, Louis Oosthuizen, is in sixth place at six under.
Seven players, including LIV 2023 season champion Talor Gooch, are tied for seventh at five under.
Anthony Kim, rusty after a 12-year absence from pro golf, is in last place after opening with a six-over 76.

“I would be lying to say that I didn’t have certain expectations,” Kim said. “At least even if I played bad, I thought I would shoot around par. It was unfortunate that I made so many unforced errors from the middle of the fairway.
“That’s generally my strength is my iron game. To make so many unforced errors is really disappointing. I’ve got a lot to build on, and I’m looking forward to the next two days.”
It was the first competitive round for Rahm at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club. He found the course to his liking.
“Like everything, there’s going to be a few spots where when you’ve played a couple more times, a couple breaks or situations, wind differences, you’re going to have more experience on, but it’s not a golf course that is very tricky tee to green,” the Spaniard said.
“Like it’s very much in front of you. You know where you have to go. You just have to hit good shots.
“I feel like my record when I’m playing tournaments for the first time has been pretty good for some reason. Sometimes not knowing is a blessing.”
Everything went right for him on Friday.
“Really, really good day. Drove it great. Drove it really good, besides maybe one tee shot, and even then I ended up in a good spot on 12,” said Rahm, in his first LIV season.
“Anytime you shoot a bogey-free 62, there’s not much that goes wrong. Put it in the right spots and gave myself the opportunities.”
Schmelzel grabs early HSBC Women’s lead, Hend rolls back years in New Zealand
This wasn’t the first time at Royal Greens for Meronk, and it’s a course that suits him.
“I just like the layout of this course,” said Poland’s Meronk, also in his LIV debut season.
“Really enjoy playing here. I have played here before. I’m trying to just be friendly with the wind. It’s always quite windy here. But I just like the set-up. It suits my eye and I think suits my game, as well. I’m enjoying playing here.”
Meronk credited his putter for the low score.
“I holed a lot of good putts but gave myself a lot of good chances. Could have been lower. But just overall the whole game was quite solid,” he said. “I didn’t make too many mistakes. I was quite solid off the tee. Just really a solid day. I really enjoyed it today.”
In team play, Rahm’s Legion XIII jumped to the lead Friday at 17 under. The team is a shot ahead of Stinger GC, which benefited from strong performances by Schwartzel and Oosthuizen.


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LIV Golf

LIV Golf Jeddah: Jon Rahm, Adrian Meronk share lead, as Anthony Kim endures tough return to professional game

Captain Joaquín Niemann of Torque GC and Jon Rahm of Legion XIII GC speak to the media after the first round of LIV Golf Jeddah at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. Photo: LIV Golf

Wild card player, Anthony Kim hits an approach during the first round of LIV Golf Jeddah. Photo: LIV Golf

Golf round-up: Schmelzel grabs early HSBC Women’s lead, Hend rolls back years in New Zealand, Kim ‘on a mission’ with LIV

American Sarah Schmelzel grabbed the early lead at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore. Photo: Handout

Matthew Griffin tees off at the first during the opening round of the 103rd New Zealand Open. Photo: Asian Tour

Wild card player Anthony Kim hits his shot on the fourth hole during the practice round before the start of LIV Golf Jeddah at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. Photo: LIV Golf

Asian Tour: International Series Oman offers glimpse of what LIV Golf’s future could look like

The International Series gets under way in Oman this week at Al Mouj Golf. Photo: Asian Tour.

Australia’s Cameron Smith putts during final round of the 2023 Hong Kong Open. Photo: May Tse

Torque GC members (from left) Sebastian Munoz, Joaquin Niemann, Mito Pereira and Carlos Ortiz pose or a picture ahead during a practice round at Al Mouj Golf.

Min Woo Lee hits an approach during the fourth round of the Macau Open at the Macau Golf and Country Club. Photo: Asian Tour.

Sport

Golf

Rahm makes fast start in first competitive round at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club
Kim pays price for ‘so many unforced errors’ to finish day with a six-over-par 76


Jon Rahm makes fast start in first competitive round at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, while Anthony Kim pays price for ‘so many unforced errors’ to finish day with a six-over-par 76.


Bryson DeChambeau

Jon Rahm

LIV Golf Jeddah: Jon Rahm, Adrian Meronk share lead, as Anthony Kim endures tough return to professional game

Rahm makes fast start in first competitive round at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club Kim pays price for ‘so many unforced errors’ to finish day with a six-over-par 76

Rahm makes fast start in first competitive round at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club

Kim pays price for ‘so many unforced errors’ to finish day with a six-over-par 76