Jon Rahm will have to fight to defeat Joaqun Niemann in their duel in Indianapolis, the final stop of the season on the LIV golf circuit, for the $18 million prize that will be awarded to the number 1 seed at the end of the season.
In the battle between the two for the ultimate throne on the wealthy circuit, Niemann took the lead this Friday on the first day after a round with spectacular scores on the par-71 course, starting with a 59 (12 under par), which left Sebastin Muoz as the clubhouse leader at press time, three strokes better than Dustin Johnson's -9 (62).
Rahm, results
In third place, with a seven-under-par 64, Niemann moved into the provisional top 10 after a spectacular first nine holes, three ahead of Jon Rahm (12th), who finished the day with a four-under-par 67 after a lackluster start that he made up for by racking up five birdies from the 7th to the 17th, with the blot of his only bogey on the par-4 12th.
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While Muoz was spectacular (no less than 14 birdies on a scorecard that was made even better by a double bogey on the 5th), Niemann always maintained a high profile on a day with very few mistakes and many strokes gained on the course.
He started with three consecutive birdies that warned Rahm, gave him a frightening performance on the 7th with an eagle on the par-5, and finished the first nine holes with two more birdies. His second half was more modest, hampered by a double bogey on the 13th that gave Rahm wings. A three-stroke difference between the two, especially if the season title is at stake, isn't much with two rounds remaining.
Spaniards David Puig showed good form, finishing the first round with a 67 and -4, tied with Rahm and Phil Mickelson. Sergio Garca struggled more. The Castelln native closed with a 69, a modest score given his opponents' ease in taking advantage of the course, which places him far from the top spots.
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BMW Championship
Meanwhile, on the PGA Tour, the tour that is wary of the flood of millions and the talent drain generated by the LIV, Robert MacIntyre took advantage of a softer course at Caves Valley on Thursday after a two-hour storm delay forced the tournament to stop. He relied on his best putting round of the year with six consecutive birdies to take a three-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood in the BMW Championship opener.
MacIntyre shot a spectacular eight-under-par 62 to lead the day. Scottie Scheffler, tied for the lead before the rain break, birdied three of his last four holes on his return for a final 66. Rickie Fowler finished one shot behind.
