There should have been 13 LIV Golfers playing in the 2024 US Open but Greg Norman’s circuit is represented by just 12 of its players this week after Jon Rahm withdrew injured.
The Spaniard, winner of the 2021 US Open, is having trouble with an infected lesion in between his toes and is sitting out after receiving medical advice. Rahm’s compatriot and former Ryder Cup partner Sergio Garcia has got off to a great start this week though to fly the flag for Spain, where he makes his 25th consecutive US Open start after getting into the field on Monday.
Garcia shot an impressive bogey-free 69 to sit at one-under-par after 18 holes. The Fireballs GC captain incredibly hasn’t had a top-10 in a Major since his 2017 Masters win but has got off to a great start at Pinehurst.
However, at the top of the LIV Golf leaderboard at a Major once again is Bryson DeChambeau.
The 2020 US Open champion was T6th at The Masters and then 2nd at last month’s PGA Championship, and he is at three-under – just two back of Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay‘s lead.
Bryson made four birdies and a solitary bogey in his 67, where he hit 12 of 14 fairways and 15/18 greens.
Tyrrell Hatton‘s right behind at two-under thanks to a 68 featuring three birdies and just one bogey.
Two-time US Open winner Brooks Koepka is also in the mix at level par, with the American cutting a quiet figure this week. Koepka has declined media duties so far and explained why in a text exchange with Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch. Koepka is joined at level par alongside 2014 Pinehurst winner Martin Kaymer.
Cameron Smith was highly fancied this week due to his incredible touch around the greens and he also started well with a one-over 71.
At the other end of the leaderboard, six-time US Open runner-up Phil Mickelson looks set to miss the cut at nine-over, with Dustin Johnson also struggling at four-over. Spaniards David Puig (+6) and Eugenio Chacarra (+5) have work to do, as have Adrian Meronk (+6) and the in-form Dean Burmester (+4).
LIV Golf Leaderboard at the US Open: Day 1
- -3: Bryson DeChambeau
- -2: Tyrrell Hatton
- -1: Sergio Garcia
- E: Brooks Koepka
- E: Martin Kaymer
- +1: Cameron Smith
- +4: Dean Burmester
- +4: Dustin Johnson
- +5: Eugenio Chacarra
- +6: David Puig
- +6: Adrian Meronk
- +9: Phil Mickelson
