Caleb Surratt (-9) and Adrian Meronk (-9) lead the PIF Saudi International after completing the first day. The tournament lasts four days and ends on Saturday, as the working week in Saudi Arabia runs from Sunday to Thursday. The best Spaniard is Josele Ballester (-5). The golfer from Castellón has made it into the top 10 with an immaculate round at the accessible Riyadh Golf Club in the Saudi capital.
The real sensation of the day was Surratt. We won’t take credit away from Meronk, but the debut of the young American from Jon Rahm‘s team in LIV Golf was fabulous. By the time he reached his 11th hole (starting on the 10th), he was at a magnificent nine under par, including six consecutive birdies. At that moment, the possibility of seeing a new round under 60 strokes was in the air. However, after that meteoric start, the momentum slowed. He made a bogey and two more birdies. Meronk also shot 63, with five consecutive birdies and, indeed, no bogeys.
The playing conditions in this first round have been very favourable. If the wind doesn’t blow, the course is easy to conquer. Those who have played there more often assure that there is more rough this time. Not that it matters. The big hitters don’t even see the bunkers, they reach all the par 5s in two, the greens are in perfect condition… A paradise for low scores.
One shot off the lead is Thomas Pieters (-8), followed by Kiradech Aphibarnrat (-7). The Thai player could secure a spot in LIV with a victory. At six under par in fifth place are Louis Oosthuizen, Paul Casey, Seonghyeon Kim, and Sebastián Muñoz. Just inside the top 10, Josele Ballester (-5) and his powerful play make their presence felt…
Josele delivered a bogey-free round of 67 strokes. He made five birdies, hit eight fairways, and reached fifteen greens. He saved two very good pars on holes 15 and 7. He started on the 10th with two consecutive birdies, added two more on the 17th and 18th, and finished with a fifth on the 3rd. Impeccable debut and a strong title bid.
A good start also for David Puig (-3). Better play than result. He also made five birdies, like Josele, yet the two greens he missed were punished with bogeys, unusual for a masterful recoverer like the one from La Garriga. Further back is Luis Masaveu (-1), the only Spaniard who could secure a spot in LIV with a win, as the others have at least one more season guaranteed in Saudi territory. Masaveu carded two birdies and a bogey, not much movement for what this course demands. Even weaker was the start for Sergio García (+1). The Borriol native must react to make the cut this Thursday.
Among the most notable names at this event, Tyrrell Hatton (-5) stands out with another good start, and once again, the disappointment of Dustin Johnson (-1). A poor start also for Matthew Wolff (+6), Joaco Niemann (+1), Cameron Smith (PAR), or Talor Gooch (+1).
