The first round of LIV Golf’s Adelaide event did not disappoint as the Aussie fans were treated to an iconic hole-in-one from former Masters champ Patrick Reed.
Reed’s ace on the watering hole sparked wild scenes and is the second hole-in-one made in Adelaide after Chase Koepka two years ago.
Elsewhere, Sam Horsfield leads the way at six under and is closely followed by Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, both at four under.
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka is one shot further back at three under. Koepka lauded the greens before the event, and it appears he could be a threat this week.
YouTuber Rick Shiels, now firmly a part of the LIV Golf set-up after signing a multi-year media deal, has offered his thoughts on who comes out on top at The Grange.
Rick Shiels’ LIV Golf Adelaide predictions
Speaking during LIV Golf’s pre-round show, Shiels claimed Jon Rahm and Cam Smith were the players to beat this week.
“As much as Legion XIII aren’t the favourite team going into this week, I am going to say Jon Rahm for the individual. I feel like his game suits this course,” Shiels said.
“You need to be a shaper of the golf ball. He hits that wonderful power fade off the tee, but he has been working on a lot more of a draw recently. I feel like you have to have creativity around this golf course, it’s not just brute force. I think Jon Rahm is going to do fantastic.”
Shiels also discussed Smith’s chances. “And I think one of the home favourites. I actually think Cam Smith is going to do it,” the Englishman added.
“A lot of the golf played around the greens, and certainly is in my wheelhouse, not so much wedge; you can putt a lot off the green. We saw what he did at the Open at St. Andrews, a lot of putts off the green. I feel like you need a lot of those type of shots around here this week.”
Jon Rahm and Cam Smith’s first round at LIV Golf Adelaide
Rahm is four shots back of the lead after carding a two-under 70 on Friday. Starting on the 18th, the Spaniard made three birdies and one bogey in what was a fairly uneventful opening round. As has been the case on many occasions, the two-time major winner will likely rise the leaderboard as the week progresses.
As for Smith, the Aussie endured a frustrating opening 18. The Ripper GC skipper made four uncharacteristic bogeys and is level par. In fact, it was a disappointing day for the Aussie quartet.
Ripper GC currently sit tied for ninth in the team standings and are well off the pacesetters, Torque.
Pat Perez picks team winner at LIV Golf Adelaide
Ripper GC will have to put together a monumental effort to win this week’s Adelaide event, and Pat Perez, formerly of the 4Aces, believes Legion XIII will be difficult to beat.
“The complicated answer is Legion XIII. They’re [Ripper] going to have to get past them and the Crushers,” Perez said during LIV’s pre-tournament show.
“Hopefully, my Aces play well. Legion XIII is going to be very tough to beat. They can do it, I actually hope they do do it, because it’s so great for the event. I know the country is behind them.”
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