The South Carolina golfer commands solvency in the tournament's classification with a three-shot advantage over Cameron Smith at the Rich Harvest Farm.
Dustin Johnson (-9), one of the first big names in the world ranking who bet on LIV Golf, is beginning to reach cruising speed on the Saudi circuit, whose format and prizes are revolutionizing the way of understanding this sport.
After finishing eighth in the inaugural event in London, fourth in Portland, third in Bedminster and winning his first title a couple of weeks ago in Boston, the South Carolina rider has started the Chicago Invitational unstoppable this Friday in the timid tour of the Rich Harvest Farms of Illinois.
The winner of a US Open (2016) and an Augusta Masters (2020) dominates the ranking with absolute authority after delivering an extraordinary round of 63 shots, with nine birdies and not a single miss. A recital without even needing to have one of those days, not even a fairway from the tee fails.
But with his enormous ability to correct every little mistake, with a brilliant game of irons around the green and very high accuracy with the putter, he has managed to leave his visiting card and present himself, without any doubt, as the rival to beat this weekend. Week.
Although in the 36 holes that still lie ahead, DJ will have to maintain the usual solidity of his game if he does not want to open a crack through which one of his rivals can sneak in.
In particular, the Australian Cameron Smith (-6), winner of the British in St. Andrews last July, current number 3 of the OWGR and a newcomer as they say to the tour (the one in Chicago is his second tournament in LIV Golf ).
In this first round, if it weren't for pure bad luck in a couple of putts and a sensational chip from the anti-green that they didn't want to enter (eye, DJ also brushed several more birdies), he would be much closer to the leader.
Dustin Johnson's list of pursuers is completed by very talented players such as Matthew Wolff (-5), Charles Howell III (-4), Matt Jones (-4), Henrik Stenson (-4) and Lee Westwood (-4), among others. Bryson DeChambeau (-3) and Phil Mickelson (-2), after a lukewarm start to the tour, seem to be starting to hit it off. While for the Spanish, the day went from more to less.
Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra (-1) and Sergio Garcia (PAR), who occupied the top positions for much of the round, deflated in the second nine.
At the same time, David Puig (+1) signed a remarkable 73 in his professional debut.
For teams, of course, they send the 4 Aces GC of Dustin Johnson, Talor Gooch, Pat Perez and Patrick Reed, with 12 shots under par.
The Punch GCs of Cameron Smith, March Leishman, Matt Jones and Wade Ormsby is two behind. And four the Majestics GC of Sam Horsfield, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson. Sergio and Eugenio's Fireballs GC are tied for seventh place, nine shots behind the leaders, the same disadvantage as the Torque GC in which David has been integrated into this Chicago tournament.
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