Niemann shone during the 10th event of the 2025 schedule, maintaining his impressive record of winning every event held on even-numbered weeks. He started strong, birdying the par-5 fourth hole and finishing the round without a single bogey.
Westwood also made waves, leading early with four birdies in his first seven holes. However, a double bogey slowed him down. He managed to finish strong, recording four pars in a row.
Gooch found his rhythm at Valderrama, where he previously won the LIV Golf Andalucía in 2023. He experienced a wild seven-hole stretch with three birdies but also three bogeys. He ended positively, snagging a birdie after a great shot at the par-4 tenth hole.
Grace, aiming to avoid relegation for another season, started off strongly as well. He was bogey-free through ten holes before facing two bogeys but quickly bounced back with two birdies.
Smith’s day began brilliantly; he went bogey-free for his first 13 holes and led by three shots at one point. Unfortunately, he finished with a double bogey and another bogey, expressing his frustration. “Golf isn’t fair,” he reflected. “But it is what it is. We’ll make the best of it.”
This season, LIV Golf introduced a new scoring format where all four scores count in team play throughout each round. Here’s a glimpse of how the teams fared when play was suspended during Round 1:
- T1. SMASH GC +5
- T1. CRUSHERS GC +5
- T1. LEGION XIII +5
- 4. 4ACES GC +8
- T5. HYFLYERS GC +9
- T5. MAJESTICKS GC +9
- 7. CLEEKS GC +10
- T8. RIPPER GC +11
- T8. RANGEGOATS GC +11
- T8. FIREBALLS GC +11
- 11. TORQUE GC +14
- 12. STINGER GC +15
- 13. IRON HEADS GC +16
For those following the latest trends in golf, this new format has sparked discussion among fans and players alike on social media. Many see it as a refreshing change that could make competitions more exciting. In line with this, a recent survey revealed that 75% of fans appreciate innovations that enhance team dynamics, a promising direction for LIV Golf.
As this event progresses, players and teams will aim to adapt and thrive under the new rules, keeping the excitement high for golf enthusiasts everywhere.
