An Byeong-hun sits tied for fifth after the first round of LIV Golf UK. [Photo=LIV Golf]
An Byeong-hun sits tied for fifth after the first round of LIV Golf UK. [Photo=LIV Golf]

An Byeong-hun and Lee Tae-hoon are tied for fifth place after the opening round of LIV Golf UK, which carries a $30 million purse.

An carded six birdies against one bogey for a 5-under-par 67 on Thursday at JCB Golf & Country Club (par 72) in Rocester, England. Lee, a Korean-Canadian, also finished 5 under, making an eagle and five birdies while dropping two bogeys.

Lucas Herbert of Australia, who impressed at last week's The Open, seized the lead with an 11-under-par 61, three strokes clear of second-place Bryson DeChambeau of the United States. Herbert shot a 62 in the second round of last week's The Open — the lowest 18-hole score in major championship history — and was flawless Thursday, carding an eagle and nine birdies without a bogey.

DeChambeau, who was penalized for improving his lie at last week's The Open, bounced back with an eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys for an 8-under 64 to claim sole second place.

Tyrrell Hatton of England and Harold Varner III of the United States both shot 6-under 66 to share third.

While An performed well, the other Korean Golf Club members struggled. Song Young-han was tied for 22nd at 1-under 71, while Moon Do-yeop and Kim Min-gyu shared 38th at 1-over 73. In the team competition, Korean Golf Club sits alone in fifth at 4 under, 15 strokes behind leader Ripper GC.


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