Crowds gather around the 18th hole during the first round of LIV Golf Adelaide (Photo by Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf)
21 APRIL, 2023: BY LIV GOLF STAFF - GRANGE, Australia – Although Talor Gooch is American, his caddie Malcolm Baker is Australian. Ever since LIV Golf announced its intentions to play in Adelaide, they’ve been discussing the event and the huge crowds expected at The Grange Golf Club.
“We were curious because of all the buildup, all the hype,” Gooch said. “The expectations were high, right? And it lived up to it every bit. So it was a blast out there.”
Of course, it helps when your scorecard includes a bogey-free round with 10 birdies. Gooch’s 10-under 62 on Friday’s opening round at LIV Golf Adelaide not only gives him a four-shot lead, it also sets a LIV Golf record for lowest round in relation to par. And the 62 ties the record-low score by any LIV golfer.
“It’s the days that you work hard for,” said Gooch, who missed just one fairway and one green.
“We were curious because of all the buildup, all the hype,” Gooch said. “The expectations were high, right? And it lived up to it every bit. So it was a blast out there.”
Of course, it helps when your scorecard includes a bogey-free round with 10 birdies. Gooch’s 10-under 62 on Friday’s opening round at LIV Golf Adelaide not only gives him a four-shot lead, it also sets a LIV Golf record for lowest round in relation to par. And the 62 ties the record-low score by any LIV golfer.
“It’s the days that you work hard for,” said Gooch, who missed just one fairway and one green.
Talor Gooch of RangeGoats GC hits his shot from the seventh tee on Friday at LIV Golf Adelaide (Photo by Jason O'Brien/LIV Golf)
The all-European Cleeks GC also had a day worth celebrating, as they grabbed the lead at 16 under thanks to Richard Bland’s 66 and the 65s from Graeme McDowell and Bernd Wiesberger. Those three played in the same group, as all non-captains were grouped with their teammates for the first time.
“Obviously fun to kind of all play together for the first time in the first round,” McDowell said. “I feel like we kind of pushed each other along and had a good time.”
As for the all-Australian Rippers GC? It was certainly a day to remember in terms of atmosphere, but the results left them with plenty of work to do. They are tied for 11th at 4 under, with Captain Cameron Smith producing the best score, a 3-under 69.
“It was a pretty epic day,” Smith said. “… It was incredible every hole, the support going on to the tee, off the green. To be honest, it was pretty tiring. But no, it was a really good day. I’m looking forward to doing it again over the weekend.”
He’ll need some low scores to catch Gooch. The RangeGoats GC member was 4 under when he reached the par-4 fourth, then reeled off five consecutive birdies. With two par 5s in his remaining three holes, Gooch couldn’t help but think of shooting 59. “I for sure wanted to be the first 59 on LIV,” he said. “That would’ve been a cool history book to have.”
He made par on the first par-5, the ninth, then birdied the par-5 10th to get to 10 under. He’ll gladly take that and the four-shot lead.
“If anyone says they’re not surprised at 10 under, they’re lying to themselves,” Gooch said. “10 under is never an expectation of what you think is going to happen.”
Bland and Stinger GC’s Dean Burmester are his closest pursuers after shooting 66. Five players are another shot back, including LIV Golf Tucson winner Danny Lee of Iron Heads GC.
“Obviously fun to kind of all play together for the first time in the first round,” McDowell said. “I feel like we kind of pushed each other along and had a good time.”
As for the all-Australian Rippers GC? It was certainly a day to remember in terms of atmosphere, but the results left them with plenty of work to do. They are tied for 11th at 4 under, with Captain Cameron Smith producing the best score, a 3-under 69.
“It was a pretty epic day,” Smith said. “… It was incredible every hole, the support going on to the tee, off the green. To be honest, it was pretty tiring. But no, it was a really good day. I’m looking forward to doing it again over the weekend.”
He’ll need some low scores to catch Gooch. The RangeGoats GC member was 4 under when he reached the par-4 fourth, then reeled off five consecutive birdies. With two par 5s in his remaining three holes, Gooch couldn’t help but think of shooting 59. “I for sure wanted to be the first 59 on LIV,” he said. “That would’ve been a cool history book to have.”
He made par on the first par-5, the ninth, then birdied the par-5 10th to get to 10 under. He’ll gladly take that and the four-shot lead.
“If anyone says they’re not surprised at 10 under, they’re lying to themselves,” Gooch said. “10 under is never an expectation of what you think is going to happen.”
Bland and Stinger GC’s Dean Burmester are his closest pursuers after shooting 66. Five players are another shot back, including LIV Golf Tucson winner Danny Lee of Iron Heads GC.
