DeChambeau’s Mexican Fiesta Lights Up LIV Golf
Bryson bombs his way to lead as Rippers and Crushers thrill Mexico City crowd
Seoul, Korea - If distance is the name of the game, Bryson DeChambeau certainly had his foot firmly on the accelerator at the opening round of LIV Golf Mexico City. Crushing drives with sheer abandon, the Crushers GC captain posted a breathtaking 8-under 63, powered by an astonishing average of 367 yards off the tee, to seize the early lead at Club de Golf Chapultepec.
As if scripting his own Hollywood moment, DeChambeau's final swing on the first hole—his closing ninth of the day—propelled his ball an eye-popping 372.9 yards onto the green. A gentle two-putt from 35 feet secured birdie, sending the crowd wild and giving the American a deserved one-shot lead.
“It was fun hitting the ball far,” said DeChambeau, grinning broadly. “Fun to finish off with a nice bang on the last hole.”
Trailing closely are two fellow captains, Legion XIII’s Jon Rahm and Ripper GC’s Cameron Smith, both carding impressive rounds of 64. Smith, whose silky putting stroke seemed right at home in the thin, crisp air of Mexico City, recorded six birdies in his first eight holes to set the pace early.
“What better way to start it than with three birdies in a row?” Rahm remarked with typical enthusiasm, buoyed by his own stunning start and a 39-foot birdie putt at the 13th.
The excitement wasn’t reserved solely for the leaders, with LIV Golf’s debut in Mexico’s capital sparking fireworks up and down the leaderboard. Eleven drives surpassed the magical 400-yard mark in the rarefied altitude of 7,900 feet, Smash Captain Brooks Koepka highlighting the distance derby with a titanic 435-yard launch on the 11th.
Bubba Watson, himself no stranger to wowing galleries, relished the atmosphere. “They love their sports. I’m glad they come out to watch us play golf and watch some of these guys hit it pretty far,” he smiled after his solid 66.
Team drama also brewed as Crushers and Rippers, led by DeChambeau and Smith respectively, matched each other stride-for-stride at 15 under, creating an enticing narrative for the weekend showdown. Smash GC, though six back, will hope to build on their momentum as conditions firm up.
“It’s a teeter-totter golf course,” DeChambeau mused. “But it’s going to get firm and fast out here. Be a lot of fun this weekend.”
Indeed, with Mexico City bathed in sunshine and roars of approval echoing through the fairways, LIV Golf’s maiden voyage in the metropolis is already a resounding success.