Henrik Stenson was stripped of Team Europe’s Ryder Cup captaincy for the 2023 event after joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf International Series; on his LIV Series debut, Stenson shot a seven-under 64 at Trump National Bedminster to share the first-round lead with Patrick Reed
Last Updated: 30/07/22 7:43am
Henrik Stenson holds a share of the lead after the first round
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who was stripped of his role as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain after joining the LIV Golf Invitational Series, enjoyed a strong debut on the Saudi-backed tour on Thursday in Bedminster.
Stenson shot a seven-under-par 64 at Trump National Bedminster to share the first-round lead with Patrick Reed.
Stenson carded four birdies on each nine and a lone bogey at the par-3 seventh hole.
“It is a tough golf course, and I mean, I felt extremely focused today, and I was right into my game,” he said. “You can’t ease off on your concentration around here.
“Yeah, good crowd support out there, and like I said, it’s only the first round that we’ve played, so yeah, I should be able to give you better feedback as we move along and I’ve played a few more rounds. If I continue to shoot seven-under it’s going to be a good one.”
Reed logged five birdies in a six-hole span from holes four to nine after recording his lone bogey of the day at the par-4 third hole.
“I kind of felt like I was putting the ball in the right place, and around a golf course like this, even though the greens are relatively large you’ve got to put the ball in the right spots,” Reed said.
“I felt like I left myself below the hole most of the day so I was able to be aggressive with the putter, and with how pure these greens are, once one goes in, it kind of felt like I was able to kind of get on that run.”
Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai holds third place at five-under, and Dustin Johnson and Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz are tied for fourth at four-under.
Brooks Koepka, Charles Howell III, Germany’s Martin Kaymer and England’s Ian Poulter share sixth place at three-under.
Phil Mickelson is tied for 43rd in the 48-player field at four-over. He was heckled on the first tee by a fan mocking the circuit’s connection to the Saudi royal family.
Asked if that annoyed him, Mickelson said, “No, I had a really good day. The people here have always been great. They’ve really treated me well. I had a really good day with the fans.”
In the event’s team format, 4 Aces GC, featuring Johnson, Reed, Pat Perez and Talor Gooch, are in first place at 11-under. Majesticks GC, consisting of Stenson, Poulter and Englishmen Lee Westwood and Sam Horsfield, hold second place at 10-under
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