Get the latest from Round 1 of LIV Golf Chicago, where Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson share the individual lead. Stinger GC tops the team leaderboard, while Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC looks to balance personal and team goals. Watch how Bryson DeChambeau attempts a late-season surge, and see which players are on the brink of moving out of or into the Drop Zone. Don’t miss highlights of Stinger GC’s driving off the tee and the return of Austin Johnson on the bag for Dustin Johnson. Find out about Sergio’s classic putter comeback and the potential shift for Mito Pereira as he fights to avoid relegation.
In the world of competitive golf, stakes couldn’t be higher, especially when it comes to the LIV Golf Chicago event. On August the 8th, 2025, the tournament saw a thrilling start with Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson leading the pack individually and Stinger GC topping the team leaderboard. Let’s dive into the highlights and behindthe-scenes action from the first round. The High-F Flyers multifaceted mission. Phil Mickelson’s Highflyers GC are not just playing for the love of the game. They’re chasing multiple objectives. Mickelson himself is aiming to secure a top 10 finish in the seasonl long points race, a first for his LIV golf career. His teammate Cameron Tringale is currently 25th in points and is striving to break into the top 24 which would lock in his position for next year. Meanwhile, Brendan Steel and Andy Ogalry are perilously close to the drop zone where they risk being relegated for the upcoming season. There’s a lot of pressure on everyone. Mickelson acknowledged. We’re all pushing for something different, but ultimately we want to finish strong and make a splash at the season ending team championship. Bryson Dashambo’s long shot. Crushers GC’s captain Bryson Dashambo is in a unique position. While he’s only one shot off the lead after shooting a three under 68, he’s also eyeing the individual championship, a goal that requires him to win both remaining regular season events. Points leader Walk Neman and second place John Ram would need to falter significantly for Dashambo’s dream to become a reality. Jooko has bounced back from poor starts before and almost won tournaments. Dashambo noted, “He’s an incredible player, but I’m focused on playing my best and contributing to the crusher’s success.” Dashambo’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he was the only player to successfully scramble 100% of the time. A testament to his skill and determination. Stinger GC’s stellar start. Stinger GC had a standout day, gaining nearly a stroke over the competition. The South African team led by Dean Burmester’s three under 68 showcased their prowess with Brandon Grace and Charles Schwarzel adding solid 69s. Captain Lewis Hasen despite a 72 remains optimistic about their chances. Dustin Johnson and brotherly Bond. Dustin Johnson who shared the first round lead with a four under 67 welcomed back his brother and caddy Austin after a brief absence. Johnson’s relief was palpable. It’s a bit different without him, but I’m glad to have AJ back. He knows my game inside and out. Sergio Garcia’s putter experiment. Sergio Garcia, another co-leader, is experimenting with a putter from his past. This week, he’s using a tight list Scotty Cameron Delmare 3.5, a model he first used in the late 1990s. Engraved with JAT, just a thought. The putter seems to be serving him well. Garcia also hinted at a new putter collaboration with a Swiss company, Gulfier, set to debut in the next few weeks. Mito Pereira’s turnaround. Mito Pereira of Talk GC who has been on the brink of relegation all season is showing signs of improvement. His two under 69 in the first round has him tied for ninth, potentially moving him into the open zone and out of danger. This shift could push Henrik Stenson of Majestics GC into the drop zone, adding a layer of drama to the tournament. Round one stats leaders driving accuracy. Brooks Kepka, Annaban Lehiri, Cameron Smith, Charles Howell III, and Louisisen all hit 11 of 14 fairways, 78.57%. Driving distance, Dean Burmeister averaged 357.0 yds on the measured holes. Longest drive, Lucas Herbert’s 412.8 yd drive on the 14th hole. Greens in regulation, Thomas Peters hit 15 of 18 greens, 83.33%. Scrambling, Brian Desau was perfect, scrambling nine of nine times. Oh, putting Sergio Garcia and Andy Ogulry led with 1.28 putts per hole. Bogey-free rounds, none. As the tournament progresses, the pressure will only intensify. Will the leaders hold their ground or will there be a dramatic shakeup? Stay tuned for more updates and insights from LIV Golf Chicago. And this is the part most people miss. Every player’s journey is unique and the drama off the course can be just as compelling as the action on it. What do you think will happen next? Share your thoughts in the comments.
