Joaquin Niemann speaks to reporters after finishing Round 1 as the leader. [Photo=LIV Golf]
Joaquin Niemann speaks to reporters after finishing Round 1 as the leader. [Photo=LIV Golf]

Joaquin Niemann of Chile seized a two-shot lead after the opening round of LIV Golf New York, which carries a $30 million purse.

Playing Friday at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster, New Jersey (par 71), Niemann carded a bogey-free 7-under-par 64 to move two strokes clear of the joint second-place pairing of Lucas Herbert of Australia and Ian Poulter of England, who both shot 5-under 66.

Niemann, who won LIV Golf Korea in May, used the result to set up a run at a second title this season. "Friday's round went really well," he said. "I feel good. I'm just sticking to my routine."

Herbert, who set the major championship record for the lowest 18-hole score at The Open with a 62, shared second place with Poulter at 5 under. Thomas Pieters of Belgium and Brendan Steele of the United States each shot 3-under 68 to sit tied for fourth.

South Korean pair Ahn Byeong-hun and Song Young-han opened at 1-over 72, tied for 24th. Ahn made three birdies but dropped four bogeys, while Song also had three birdies against two bogeys and a double bogey. Kim Min-gyu shot 3-over 74 to sit tied for 36th, and Moon Do-yeop carded 5-over 76 to finish tied for 49th.


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