Chilean Joaquín Niemann is the sole leader of The Genesis Invitational after starting with a spectacular round of 8-under par 63 at Riviera Country Club, in one of the most traditional and historic events on the PGA TOUR.
Niemann’s round was almost perfect and showed the best of the Chilean game that looked infallible. The 23-year-old, who is playing his 101st tournament on Tour, had nine birdies and just one bogey.
Niemann opened up a three-shot lead over his escorts, Americans Jordan Spieth, Scotttie Scheffler, Cameron Young and Max Homa, the defending champion, in an event featuring the best eleven players in the world rankings.
“I think it has to be one of my best days on a golf course, especially at a place with as much history as Riviera Country Club, which is also one of my favorite courses of the year and at an event that Tiger is hosting. and where the best players in the world play” said the Chilean.
“The best thing about my game was my shots to the green, I left a lot of balls nearby and that makes everything easier,” said Nieamnn, who hit 14 of 18 greens and whose most outstanding shot was his exit on the demanding par-3 hole 4. , 235 yards where I left it given.
“You always work to have these kinds of days, but you know you’re not going to have four days like this and I have to be ready for what’s coming and with the best attitude,” said the Chilean, who tied the lowest round in a first round in this event and it is the fourth time he has led after the first 18 holes in PGA TOUR tournaments.
The seven Latinos who are present in this historic course, which has hosted three Majors, started under par on the course.
The Mexican Carlos Ortiz started with a round of 3-under par 68, while the Argentine Emiliano Grillo and the other Mexican Abraham Ancer signed cards of 2-under par 69. Ancer closed with four birdies in his last four holes.
For the Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, the Chilean Mito Pereira and the Colombian Sebastián Muñoz, their rounds of 70 (-1) place them in 43rd place.
Niemann will go out to play this Friday at 7:24 am (local time). “It’s going to be cold tomorrow so I’ll have to come early to get a good warm-up. It will surely be different from today, but it will be fun”, closed the pointer.
Source: PGA Tour
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