LIV Golf Mexico City: Brilliant Bryson thrills the locals with opening 63

Ripper GC and Crushers GC set the early pace in team competition

Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau leads LIV Golf Mexico City by one shot after round one. (Photo by LIV Golf)

MEXICO CITY – After one last mighty lash into the thin air at LIV Golf Mexico City, Bryson DeChambeau pumped both arms, celebrated with his fans – and took the solo lead after Friday’s highly entertaining opening round at Club de Golf Chapultepec.

The Crushers GC Captain birdied his final hole, the 396-yard par-4 first, by driving the green and two-putting from 35 feet, providing the finishing touch on an 8-under 63 that leaves him one stroke ahead of two other captains, Legion XIII’s Jon Rahm and Ripper GC’s Cameron Smith.

The Crushers and Rippers are tied for the team lead at 15 under, six shots clear of Smash GC.

DeChambeau, seeking his first LIV Golf win since 2023, averaged 367 yards on his 14 drives Friday, including two drives of 400-plus yards. His final drive at the first hole traveled 372.9 yards. The 63 is his lowest-ever opening round in LIV Golf.

“It was fun hitting the ball far,” DeChambeau said. “Fun to finish off with a nice bang on the last hole.”

In all, the field produced 11 drives of 400 yards or longer in the 7,900-foot elevation, with Smash Captain Brooks Koepka having the longest drive at 435 yards on the 11th hole. There were 66 more drives between 370 and 399 yards, giving the Mexico City fans plenty to cheer for during LIV Golf’s debut appearance in the nation’s capital.

“It’s always been exciting around here,” said RangeGoats GC Captain Bubba Watson, who is in solo fourth after a 5-under 66. “They love their sports. I’m glad they come out to watch us play golf and watch some of these guys hit it pretty far.”

DeChambeau started his day by driving the 316-yard par-4 second and holing a 22-foot putt for eagle. He followed with birdies on the next two holes, and also a birdie at the par-5 seventh (with a 379-yard drive) to move to 5 under after six holes.

But any thoughts of another sub-60 round disappeared during the next eight holes in which he played even par.

“There was a lot of moments where I felt like I was going to get it to 9-, 10-under and there were moments where I'm like, man, I could be 3-under or 2-under easily if I don't get my act in shape,” DeChambeau said. “It's a teeter-totter golf course.”

Legion XIII Captain Jon Rahm tees off during the first round of LIV Golf Mexico City. (Photo by LIV Golf)

Rahm, the 2024 LIV Golf Individual Champion, opened with three consecutive birdies and was 5 under through seven before suffering a pair of bogeys. He played the back nine in a bogey-free 4 under and briefly held the solo lead after draining a 39-foot birdie putt at the 13th.

“What better way to start it than with three birdies in a row,” he said. “That just set the tone. Felt really comfortable on the greens all day. Couldn’t really have asked for a much better score.”

Ripper GC Captain Cam Smith is tied-second following round one of LIV Golf Mexico City. (Photo by LIV Golf)

Smith, who like DeChambeau is seeking his first LIV Golf win since 2023, also started with three consecutive birdies. He had six birdies in his first eight holes en route to shooting 64, his lowest round of the season.

“I’ve put myself in a really good spot after round one,” said Smith, whose Rippers won the previous LIV Golf tournament in Miami, with his teammate Marc Leishman claiming the individual title. “Hopefully, I can go out there over the weekend and give it my all and hopefully walk away with a trophy.”

Having finished on the first hole Friday, DeChambeau will now start his second round on the same hole Saturday as part of the leaders’ group that includes Rahm and Smith. With course conditions firming up, the long drives should continue to be abundant.

“It’s going to get firm and fast out here,” DeChambeau said. “Be a lot of fun this weekend.”