Sergio Garcia, a 44-year-old golfer from Spain, delivered an impressive performance during the opening round of LIV Golf Miami, carding a 5-under 67. This achievement has allowed him to claim a share of the lead with Talor Gooch and Peter Uihlein. The trio is currently one shot ahead of four players, including Bubba Watson, Matthew Wolff, Dean Burmester, and Scott Vincent, all at 4-under 68.
As one of the first players to make the transition from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf in 2022, Garcia is still in search of his first victory in this new circuit. Despite narrowly missing out on a win at the season opener at Mayakoba to Joaquin Niemann, Garcia remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of consistently giving himself opportunities to succeed.
Garcia is set to join 12 other LIV players at the Masters at Augusta National next week. His current form is undoubtedly a source of confidence, although he remains mindful of the unpredictable nature of Augusta’s conditions and the challenges it presents. He stated, “Augusta is very, very tricky, and it can be a little bit tough to swallow sometimes.”
In contrast, Gooch, who is not automatically qualified for the Masters, expressed his intention to focus on his game rather than attempting to influence others with his words. Uihlein also displayed a strong performance, contributing to his team’s (RangeGoats GC) healthy lead in the team competition.
Additionally, defending Masters champion Jon Rahm commenced his week with a 3-under 69, placing him in a sizable tie for eighth alongside major champions Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed.
The competition has kicked off LIV Golf Miami in an exciting manner, with leaders and champions showcasing their skills and setting the stage for a thrilling tournament ahead.