LIV Golf Tucson R1: Dustin Johnson SEVEN strokes behind leader
Dustin Johnson struggled in the opening round of LIV Golf Tucson and was as many as seven strokes behind the early lead in the 48-man field.
Dustin Johnson found himself seven strokes off the lead after the opening round of the second LIV Golf League event of 2023.
Johnson, 38, carded an opening round of 1-over par 72 at The Gallery Golf Club in Tucson.
The American was playing in the same group as Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka for the first time in his career.
Koepka signed for an opening round of 2-under whereas DeChambeau struggled once again, opening with a 1-over par 72
Johnson began on the second hole and things got off to a tough start as he carded a double bogey.
Another double bogey followed at No. 7. Johnson then carded nine consecutive pars before finishing with three birdies.
The early leader was Australian Marc Leishman, who set the pace with an opening round of 6-under 65.
Leishman, part of Cameron Smith's Ripper GC side, carded seven birdies. His only dropped shot came at No. 11.
One of Smith's tee shots was interrupted by a truck honking its horn.
Brooks nearly had the second ace in LIV history #LIVGolf @smashgc
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) March 17, 2023
Three players are sat on 5-under after the first round. Abraham Ancer, Louis Oosthuizen and Matthew Wolff all opened with 66s.
LIV Golf are heavily pushing their team element aspect in 2023.
Joaquin Niemann's Torque GC side have a one stroke lead after the first round. The quartet reached a score of 10-under.
Brooks Koepka's Smash GC side, Kevin Na's Iron Heads GC and Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC are T-2 on 9-under.
Team leaderboard after R1:
Torque -10
Smash, Iron Heads, Fireballs -9
Ripper, 4 Aces -7
Hy Flyers -6
Stinger, Crushers -5
RangeGoats -4
Cleeks +1
Majesticks +1
