Koepka takes the lead at LIV Golf Invitational-Jeddah

KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Brooks Koepka took a two-stroke lead at the LIV Golf Invitational-Jeddah on Friday after going 8-under 62 in the first round.

The American birdied eight times in an error-free round at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. The former top ranked player is followed by Charl Schwartzel at 6 under. Hideto Tanihara, Peter Uihlein and Patrick Reed are another blow back.

This is the seventh and final LIV Golf Invitational event for individual and team play. The final event of the inaugural season will take place in Miami from October 28-30 for teams of four.

LIV Golf is funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, but this is the first tournament held in Saudi Arabia after previous events in London, Portland, Bedminster, Boston, Chicago and Bangkok.

Dustin Johnson has already clinched the LIV Individual Championship title and his $18 million prize. Second and third place – and their respective prizes of $8 million and $4 million – are still up for grabs.

LIV Golf’s events have 48-player uncut courses over 54 holes and feature $25 million in total prize money. Players who were lured by the big prizes were banned from playing on the PGA Tour and the European Tour.

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The Associated Press