Newcomer Thomas Detry launched himself into the international LIV conversation quickly by claiming a share of the first-round lead on Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during his first circuit as a member of LIV Golf.
The 33-year-old Belgian, whose most recent win came at the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open last February, became a full-time member of Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC this offseason.
Detry shot a bogey-free, 7-under-par 65 at Riyadh Golf Club to tie RangeGoats GC’s Peter Uihlein for the lead.
“First day on the job, so a little bit of a change for me, so a bit nervous,” Detry said. “I drove it so well out there, it made my job pretty easy.”
Detry grabbed birdies on Nos. 1, 5, 6, 8, 13, 14 and 18.
Uihlein countered with an eagle on No. 13 as the pair built a one-stroke lead on the rest of the 57-man field.
The season-opening event marked LIV Golf’s switch from a 54-hole format to 72. Uihlein welcomed the addition of a fourth round.
“I’m not scared of a blowup every now and then on a hole in particular, so now I have more holes to make it up,” Uihlein said. “I think it’s going to benefit me long-term, which is nice.”
Australia’s Elvis Smylie, another rookie, found himself alone in third place with his 6-under round.
“I think there were a little bit of nerves and excitement, but I think I showed what I’m capable of today – or tonight, I should say,” Smylie said.
Six golfers are tied for fourth place at 5 under: South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, South Korea’s Byeong Hun An, Talor Gooch, England’s Tyrrell Hatton, Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz and Spain’s Jon Rahm.
Munoz’s day helped Torque GC take the team lead at 15 under. Southern Guards GC (13 under) owns second while Legion XIII (11 under) sits third.
4Aces GC (10 under) is tied for fourth.
–Field Level Media
