Valderrama Seizes Advantage Opening Day Inaugural LIV Valderrama

11 months ago by Comments Off on Valderrama Seizes Advantage Opening Day Inaugural LIV Valderrama

Valderrama 1 – World’s Best 0

The famed Valderrama course was a clear winner on the opening day of the inaugural LIV Golf Valderrama.

In sauna-like and windy conditions just 14 of 48 players manage to break par on the Spanish course affectionate known as ‘Europe’s Augusta’.

Double major-winning Dustin Johnson and fellow American Jason Kokrak head the $25m field with four-under par 68s with ‘DJ’ capping his round with a hat-trick of birdies from his 9th hole and his compatriot three birdies in succession from the 10th hole.

India’s Aniban Lahiri is next best at three-under and with overwhelming crowd favourite Sergio Garcia among eight players at one-under.

‘DJ’ is not only a US Open and Masters champion but he’s already a two-time LIV Golf winner, capturing last year’s LIV event in Boston and winning earlier this year in Tulsa, each after winning at the first extra play-off holes.

“Yeah, just a really solid day,” said DJ.

“Drove it really nicely, hit a lot of fairways. This golf course is one that you have to play out of the fairway from, and really just never got out of position. Just really drove it well and hit a lot of nice iron shots, controlled the ball really well, and gave myself a lot of looks at birdie.

“I think the course is really difficult. The wind obviously, especially for the first 15 holes, was blowing really hard. The greens definitely started to firm up towards the end of the round.

“The golf course, no matter if the wind is blowing or not, this course plays tough just because you have to be so precise on every single shot. That’s why I think the golf course is so great, and it’s a lot of fun to play”.

In the team format the Crushers – Paul Casey, Bryson De Chambeau and Lahiri lead the way at four-under.



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