Adrian Meronk of Poland rolled in 10 birdies, including each of his final two holes, to grab the first-round lead at LIV Golf Riyadh on Thursday in Saudi Arabia.
The member of Cleeks GC cruised around Riyadh Golf Club for a bogey-free, 10-under-par 62, giving him a two-stroke edge over Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz (64).
Meronk, who started his round at the fifth hole, was 8 under for his round when he reached the 627-yard par-5 third. Despite missing the fairway on his first two shots, he got his third swing onto the green and converted a 12-foot birdie putt. He followed that up with a 27-foot birdie at his last hole, the par-4 fourth.
Meronk, 31, joined LIV Golf ahead of last season and is seeking his first win.
Munoz (nine birdies, one bogey) said he enjoyed playing under the lights. The tournament is being played late in the day local time to fit broadcast windows for LIV’s new U.S. TV partner, Fox Sports.
“I enjoyed it a lot, the experience. I felt like it was the first time we do it, and the visual and the golf ball, I really like it. It’s something different, something that we’re not used to it, and it’s nice.”
The team lead belongs to Spanish star Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII thanks to new member Tom McKibbin, who shot a 7-under 65 in his LIV debut. The Northern Irishman is tied for third with Englishman Lee Westwood.
“I’ve watched this for the last couple years since it started, and it’s something that I’ve really liked to watch, something very different, something that probably appeals to more people my age,” McKibbin said before the event began. “I think sort of the opportunity to get to play with these guys here and learn from some of the best players in the world week in, week out is something that appealed very, very nicely to me.”
Tyrrell Hatton of England and Caleb Surratt, also part of Legion XIII, are part of a tie for fifth at 6 under. Rahm himself had the highest round of his team, a 5-under 67, giving Legion a seven-shot lead through one round at 24 under par.
–Field Level Media
