LIV Golf Singapore: Johnson makes early running, as Garcia suffers Hong Kong hangover
Dustin Johnson takes three-shot lead after first round, and reveals injury that hampered his performance last week at Fanling
Dustin Johnson finally found his game after shaking off a rib injury and Sergio Garcia suffered a Hong Kong hangover as LIV Golf Singapore got under way on Friday.
The American carded a bogey-free eight-under-par 63 and his 4Aces team shot a combined 14 under to take an early lead at Sentosa Golf Club. Torque ended the opening round two shots back, with HyFlyers in third at 10 under.
At the other end of the individual leaderboard, Garcia began his week with a one-over 72, leaving him in a tie for 38th, days after his comprehensive victory at Fanling.
But his Fireballs team combined for seven under to sit alone in fourth, and in among the birdies and bogeys was David Puig’s eagle three at the Serapong Course’s notoriously difficult 18th.
Johnson, who finished the day three shots ahead of Torque’s Sebastian Munoz in the individual standings, has a proud record of winning at least one event every year, but the 40-year-old’s last triumph was more than a year ago in Las Vegas and 4Aces haven’t won since LIV Golf London in 2023.
“It’s really hard to win,” Johnson said. “Anytime you can get a win, no matter when it is, it’s always good.