HUMBLE, Texas – It’s tight atop the LIV Golf Houston leaderboard with Caleb Surratt, Martin Kaymer and Adrian Meronk tied for the individual lead, but there was plenty more news, notes and stats from the opening round at the Golf Club of Houston .
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KAYMER ROUNDING IN FORMS: Cleeks GC Captain Martin Kaymer’s 7-under 65 is his lowest round at LIV Golf. It is the perfect follow-up to a resurgence in the game now that he is no longer compromised by the wrist problems that have affected his performance over the past 18 months.
Kaymer entered LIV Golf Houston off back-to-back top-20 finishes in Adelaide and Singapore, his best run in two starts since the inaugural 2022 season.
“It all started in Hong Kong and then I got better and better,” said Kaymer, whose round was fueled by four consecutive birdies starting on the first hole. “The little things, once they fall into place, that’s when rounds like this can happen.
“I’m still not where I’d like to be, but everything is pretty consistent now.”
The timing of Kaymer’s improved game couldn’t be better scripted. He is one of 12 LIV golfers at next week’s US Open at Pinehurst, the place he dominated 10 years ago by 8 strokes for his second major title.
Not that he’s thinking about it this week in Houston.
“I have two more rounds to play,” Kaymer said, “then my mindset will go to Pinehurst.”
SURAT COURSE NOTICE: Many players in the 54-man field have played at the Golf Club of Houston when it hosted the Houston Open, but that was at least five years ago.
Caleb Surratt, the least experienced player in the field, may have the most recent course experience alongside local resident Patrick Reed. While playing at the University of Tennessee, Surratt competed in a collegiate event 15 months ago on the course.
“It was definitely in a little different situation and a lot more fans and a little more difficult to set up,” Surratt said of Friday’s return. “But I’ve seen the golf course and I’m comfortable.”
TALKING ABOUT REED: The 4Aces GC star had plenty of following from family, friends and fans en route to a 5-under 67 that leaves him in a seven-way tie for sixth entering the second round.
“It definitely gave me a lot of energy today to go out there and put a number on them and play well,” Reed said. “Hopefully we can come out this weekend and continue that momentum.”
MERONK STRING MUSIC: Co-leader Adrian Meronk of Cleeks GC put together two runs of three consecutive birdies in his bogey-free 65. It is his lowest round at LIV Golf par since his 8-under 62 in the opening round at LIV Golf Jeddah.
PREVIOUS WINNERS: Five previous winners of the Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston are in the field this week.
Majesticks GC Co-Captain Ian Poulter (2018 winner) and Crushers GCs Paul Casey (2009 winner) had the lowest rounds on Friday, shooting 5-under 67.
Ripper GC’s Matt Jones (2014 winner) shot a 68 while HyFlyers GC leader Phil Mickelson (2011 winner) shot a 71.
Wild card player Anthony Kim, whose 2010 Houston Open win was his last before retiring two years later, was 1 under until he bogeyed his final two holes to settle for a 73.
“Disappointing last two holes but saw so many positives today,” Kim wrote on X’s account.
CATLIN MAKES LIV GOLF DEBUT: John Catlin, the Asian Tour points leader filling in for injured Crushers GC player Charles Howell III, shot a 1-under 71 in his first round at an LIV golf tournament.
ROUND 1 STATISTICS LEADERS
Driving Accuracy: Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Louis Oosthuizen, Danny Lee, Brooks Koepka, 85.71% (12 of 14 fairways hit)
Driving distance: Carlos Ortiz, 336.5 yards avg.
The longest route: Matthew Wolff, 361.4 yards, 13th hole
Greens on regulation: Paul Casey, Kalle Samooja, Mito Pereira, Brendan Steele, Henrik Stenson, John Catlin, 83.33% (15 of 18 greens)
Stirring: Lucas Herbert (8 of 8), Adrian Meronk (8 of 8), Matt Jones (7 of 7), Louis Oosthuizen (7 of 7), Martin Kaymer (5 of 5), Joaquin Niemann (5 of 5), Caleb Surratt (4 of 4), Paul Casey (3 of 3), Henrik Stenson (3 of 3), 100%
Putting: Adrian Meronk, 1.22 shots per hole
Bogey Free Rounds: Martin Kaymer (65), Adrian Meronk (65), Caleb Surratt (65), Joaquin Niemann (67), Paul Casey (67), Matt Jones (68), Louis Oosthuizen (69), Lucas Herbert (69), Henrik Stenson (70)