Paul Casey leads the way after round one of LIV Golf Hong Kong. The Englishman is looking to win after finishing runner-up at the same event 12 months ago.
Back in November, Casey noted just how hard winning is on LIV, with the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka all vying to contend at each event.
Of course, DeChambeau and Casey are Crushers GC teammates and have tasted team victory together on multiple occasions. Despite the pair striving for team success, Casey is eager to beat DeChambeau individually this season, and a win in Hong Kong would give the Englishman a good chance of achieving his goal.
However, DeChambeau has sent a strong message to his teammate ahead of rounds two and three in Hong Kong.
LIV Golf Hong Kong: Bryson DeChambeau reacts to Paul Casey’s 63
Speaking after his first round, DeChambeau appeared to suggest he will finish ahead of Casey come close of play on Sunday. “I’m happy for Paul being at 7-under, but I’m going to come kick his a** here by the end of this week,” DeChambeau said.
DeChambeau also had plenty of praise for Casey, who came within touching distance of winning 12 months ago.
“Yeah, it’s obviously disappointing, and also, we came close—he came close. I know he wants to win out here. He’s got an incredible game, and he hasn’t won in a while, and he wants to prove that,” the two-time US Open champ added.
“So he’s got a little bit of fire in his belly right now. It’s good. He loves this golf course. It’s a great golf course. A lot of great players out here, though. You can go deep. If you get on a hot streak and your wedges are working well and you’re rolling the putter, you can go 5-, 6-, 7-under pretty easy like Paul did. Two more days. Proud of him. Still, a lot of golf left.”
Bryson DeChambeau shoots three under at LIV Golf Hong Kong
DeChambeau is playing catch-up after shooting four under on day one. The American made three birdies on the front nine before picking up three more on the back.
Two bogeys on the one and two prevented the 31-year-old from jumping into solo second.
Sebastian Munoz, Peter Uihlein, Luis Masaveu, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and Chie-Po Lee are all in a tie for second at five under.
Yubin Jang, Danny Lee, Sam Horsfield, Henrik Stenson and Dean Burmester all join DeChambeau and four under. Several big names, including Bubba Watson, Phil Mickelson and Tyrrell Hatton, are at three under.
At the other end of the leaderboard, Caleb Surratt, Dustin Johnson and Anthony Kim are all five over.
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