Reed, Stenson top leaderboard in LIV International Series

Patrick Reed (US) and Henrik Stenson (Swe) are on top of the leaderboard after round one of the LIV International – Bedminster at Trump National in New Jersey, US.

Both the major champions, shot matching rounds of seven under par 64 and will enter today’s second round tied for the lead on 7 under par.

Solitary bogey

Reed has eight birdies and a solitary bogey with a run of six birdies from a stretch of seven holes, from holes 4-10. Reed then birdied the 18th hole to tie the lead.

Reed who led the field with 25 putts commented, “Just kind of felt like I was putting the ball in the right place. Around a golf course like this, even though the greens are relatively large, you’ve got to put the ball in the right spots. I felt like I left myself below the hole most of the day, so I was able to be aggressive with the putter. With how pure these greens are, once one goes in, it kind of felt like I was able to get on that run.”

Co-leader Stenson, meanwhile, called his day ‘the best I’ve played all year.’ “Unlike Patrick, I did end up on the high side a couple of times, and even though I had really short birdie putts, had to be very cautious,’ said Stenson, after his debut round with LIV Golf. The greens are running really quickly. They’re pure and quick, and then you’ve got the slope on top of that.”

Two off the pace was Phachara Khongwatmai (Thai), who opened with a 66, one clear of Dustin Johnson and Carlos Ortiz who shared the fourth spot on four under 67.

Marquee foursome

One further back, on three under 68, was the marquee foursome of Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Brooks Koepka and Charles Howell III, who was making his debut in the LIV Series.

A group of five more players were tied 10th on 2 under, headlined by Lee Westwood and Jason Kokrak.

In the team competition, Reed (-7) and Johnson (-4) teamed up to give the 4 Aces GC a one-stroke lead over Stenson’s Majesticks GC (Stenson -7, Poulter -3).