– On Friday, play was suspended at Valderrama with seven players at par or better. On Saturday, the round was completed with eleven golfers at par or better. Most have only played a couple of holes. The most, have played four. Almost like night and day. Definitely, the interruption of the first round due to wind was a relief for everyone. This morning at eight, when action resumed, the wind was blowing, again from the west, but with much less intensity and the greens, obviously, were much more receptive and forgiving. Generously watered.
– The first round of the LIV Golf Andalucía has left three leaders at the top. Talor Gooch (-2), Joaquín Niemann (-2), and Cameron Smith (-2). One stroke behind are Bryson DeChambeau (-1), Branden Grace (-1), and Patrick Reed (-1). Gooch and Grace are the main surprises, although they do well at Valderrama. The others are usual suspects in the high zones of LIV.
– Jon Rahm (PAR) is the best Spaniard after the first 18 holes. He has made par in everything he played this morning. He made the two-metre commitment he had on the 14th, hit two good putts on the 15th, an easy par on the 16th, with the ball grazing the hole for birdie, and had very bad luck on the 17th. He hit the green in two (yesterday it would have been impossible), but the ball got stuck in the back bunker slope. His shot didn’t deserve that punishment. As Cameron Smith said, “golf is fundamentally an unfair sport and you have to accept it.” Rahm did and saved a good par. He got the ball out of the bunker as best he could and finished the hole with a good chip and putt. On the 18th, another par with two putts. Golf seemingly easy for the man from Barrika. Jon is tied with three veterans like Bland, Poulter, and Kokrak and the young Surratt, another surprise in the standings. The American has already shown he can go very low, but Valderrama doesn’t seem the best course for his style. He feels at home on glass-like greens.
– The frustration was for Sergio García (+2) on the 18th hole. His drive was very tight on the left, hit a tree, and ended up badly, in the rough and very covered by trees. His second shot went to the rough on the right of the green. He was aiming for the bunker but missed it by a little. From the tall grass, he couldn’t make an approach and putt. Bogey. Before that, he made a great birdie on the 17th (magnificent putt), an easy par on the 16th, and a great par on the 15th by sinking a delicate one-and-a-half-metre putt after missing the green. Sergio did not hide his frustration at the end. In any case, he is in the fight with 36 holes ahead. However, he needs to reset and gather all the positive energy he can, which this place always provides him. Perhaps it’s a good time to put Cameron Smith’s phrase in the mirror: “golf is fundamentally an unfair sport and you have to accept it.” The key is how you accept everything that happens.
– Josele Ballester (+2) and David Puig (+3) have managed to save the day. They finished with birdies this morning and are catching their breath. They are very close to the top. Probably, it’s the best overall round for Ballester since turning professional. Another step forward. Lastly, Luis Masaveu (+5) did not have the best start.
– A bad start also for Dustin Johnson (+4) and Brooks Koepka (+5). They have already lost too much ground to think they can be a factor this week. This story has been repeating a lot this year.
– The second round will start at 10:30 in the morning.
