Andy Ogletree, of HyFlyers GC, hits onto the green from the fifth bunker during the pro-am before LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Sentosa, Singapore. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via AP)
Abraham Ancer, of Fireballs GC, hits from the second tee during the pro-am before LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Sentosa, Singapore. (Matthew Harris/LIV Golf via AP)
Andy Ogletree, of HyFlyers GC, hits onto the green from the fifth bunker during the pro-am before LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Sentosa, Singapore. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via AP)
Andy Ogletree, of HyFlyers GC, hits onto the green from the fifth bunker during the pro-am before LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Sentosa, Singapore. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via AP)
Abraham Ancer, of Fireballs GC, hits from the second tee during the pro-am before LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Sentosa, Singapore. (Matthew Harris/LIV Golf via AP)
SINGAPORE (AP) — Sebastian Munoz of Colombia shot a 6-under 65 on Friday to lead after the first round of the LIV Golf tournament in Singapore.
Six players were a shot back after rounds of 66 at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore — Thomas Pieters, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Tringale, Abraham Ancer, Martin Kaymer and Kevin Na.
Munoz, who opened with a 1-over 72 in his first round a week ago in Adelaide, Australia, found himself back on track in Singapore.
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“Really happy where the game is right now and kind of trending,” Munoz said.
Koepka, who started on the third hole in the shotgun-style format, birded five of his first seven holes in usual steamy conditions in Singapore.
After being asked if he played better in warm-weather climates — he has won twice in Saudi Arabia in 2022 and 2023 at Royal Greens Golf Club in Jeddah — Koepka said “I really don’t care where it is, as long as I win.”
“Thought I putted OK,” Koepka added. “Speed was off, but the ones that I needed to make, I felt like I made.”
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Pieters finished in a tie for ninth in Miami and a tie for 14th in Adelaide. His bogey-free round Friday that included an eagle at the par-5 18th was his sixth consecutive sub-par round.
“Putting a lot of work in it over the last few months,” Pieters said. “I just had a rough time last year personally, and I finally found the time and the focus to kind of re-focus on my game. Been working on every aspect, and it’s kind of showing now.”
Brendan Steele, last week’s LIV winner in Adelaide, was three shots off the lead after a 68.
Jon Rahm, who has yet to win after joining LIV in December, was four strokes behind following a 69. Rahm, however, is the only player to have finished in the top 10 in all six events in 2024.
The next LIV tournament is June 7-9 in Houston, Texas.
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