The rolling fairways of The Grove were the stage for a thrilling first round at LIV Golf Nashville, with Abraham Ancer lighting up the leaderboard.
Ancer’s flawless 7-under 64 not only positioned him at the top of the individual standings but also propelled Fireballs GC to a commanding lead in the team competition.
Fresh off his U.S. Open victory, a visibly fatigued Bryson DeChambeau still managed to excite his loyal followers, carding a solid 4-under 67.
Despite the whirlwind media tour post-victory, DeChambeau found enough energy to engage with the lively Nashville crowd, especially on the electrifying par-3 15th.
Meanwhile, Ancer’s round was a masterclass in precision and composure. He opened with a birdie and maintained his momentum throughout, particularly shining with four birdies in a five-hole stretch on his back nine.
His ability to navigate tricky spots, including a crucial par save on the last hole, underscored his current form and confidence.
“Extremely happy the way I fought today,” said Ancer, the winner at LIV Golf Hong Kong earlier this year in a playoff.
“Even the last hole, I put myself in a tough spot and then made a longish putt for par, which was really nice. You don’t want to finish on a bogey.”
Team Competition: Fireballs GC in the Lead
With Ancer’s stellar performance leading the way, Fireballs GC, captained by Sergio Garcia, surged to a four-shot lead over DeChambeau’s Crushers GC.
Torque GC sits just one shot further back in third. This marks a strong start for Fireballs GC, who have been knocking on the door of a team title, finishing second in the last two tournaments.
The team competition in LIV Golf Nashville is structured to count the best three scores from each team in the first two rounds, with all four scores being counted in the final round.
This format adds a strategic layer, making every shot critical as teams vie for the coveted title.
Tyrrell Hatton and John Catlin in Contention
Just one shot behind Ancer is Legion XIII’s Tyrrell Hatton, who showcased exceptional putting skills, needing just 24 putts for his 6-under 65.
Hatton, the only player to finish inside the top 24 in points across all eight tournaments this season, relied heavily on his short game to keep pace.
“The big thing that I was most pleased with today was just the putter,” Hatton said. “Feel like I holed out really well from inside 10 feet.”
John Catlin, filling in for the injured Charles Howell III for Crushers GC, sits solo third after an impressive 5-under 66.
Catlin, a seasoned professional with 13 career wins, is looking to make history as no reserve player has finished inside the top 5 in a LIV Golf event.
His round featured a hot streak of four birdies in five holes, showcasing his readiness to compete at this level.
“I feel like if I can go out and play my game, I’m capable of anything,” Catlin said confidently.
DeChambeau’s Grit and Fan Engagement
Despite his post-U.S. Open exhaustion, Bryson DeChambeau’s 67 was a testament to his resilience and the energizing power of his fans.
The Crushers captain found himself in a four-way tie for fourth, alongside Torque’s Sebastián Muñoz, Fireballs’ Eugenio Chacarra, and Majesticks GC’s Sam Horsfield.
The par-3 15th, known for its party atmosphere, saw DeChambeau feed off the crowd’s energy, responding with a birdie and a signature ear-cup celebration.
“I’m a zombie right now. I’m a dead man walking,” DeChambeau admitted. “But the crowd support Friday helped keep me going, and I acknowledged them at every opportunity.”
“It’s quite an honour to be out here and have so much support. This is what LIV is all about.”
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether Ancer can maintain his lead, how the team standings will shake out, and if DeChambeau can summon the stamina to make a weekend charge.
LIV Golf Nashville: First Round Team Standings
- Fireballs GC
- Crushers GC
- Torque GC
The team dynamics at LIV Golf Nashville are as crucial as the individual battles, with the collective efforts determining the ultimate champion.
Stay tuned as the action continues and the competition heats up.
ROUND 1 STATS LEADERS
Driving accuracy: Kevin Na, 100% (14 of 14 fairways hit)
Driving distance: Jon Rahm, 338.4 yards avg.
Longest drive: Joaquin Niemann, 346.1 yards, 18th hole
Greens in regulation: Louis Oosthuizen, 94.44% (17 of 18 greens)
Scrambling: Carlos Ortiz (5 of 5), Lee Westwood (5 of 5), Abraham Ancer (4 of 4), Louis Oosthuizen (1 of 1), 100%
Putting: Eugenio Chacarra, 1.22 putts per hole
Bogey-free rounds: Abraham Ancer (64), Carlos Ortiz (68), Lee Westwood (69)
