CaddyBytes

CaddyBytes 🏆 2025 LIV Golf Hong Kong Round 1 Highlights: Carlos Ortiz delivered a spectacular opening round Friday at Hong Kong Golf Club, firing a 10-under-par 60 to take a two-shot lead after the first round of LIV Golf Hong Kong. Ortiz caught fire on the back half of his round, putting together one of the best scores seen on the short Fanling layout. His surge included three straight birdies at Nos. 10, 11 and 12, followed by an eagle at the par-5 13th, igniting a run that vaulted him clear of the field. A pinpoint approach into the 16th set up another birdie before he nearly holed his approach on the par-4 17th, tapping in for birdie to cap the remarkable opening 60. South Africa’s Dean Burmester sits alone in second place after a superb 8-under 62. Burmester highlighted his round with an eagle at the 13th, nearly holing his long approach, and added key birdies late in the round to stay within striking distance heading into the weekend. Defending champion Sergio Garcia made an early statement in his title defense. The Spaniard surged up the leaderboard with four consecutive birdies on the back nine, finishing with a 7-under 63 to remain firmly in contention. Several other players produced strong opening rounds as the leaderboard remained tightly packed behind Ortiz. Yong-Han Song, Talor Gooch, and others joined Garcia near the top after taking advantage of the scoring opportunities at Fanling. Elsewhere in the opening round, Victor Perez electrified the crowd with a hole-in-one at the par-3 second, one of the day’s most memorable moments. Anthony Kim, continuing his comeback season, also featured in the highlights with a series of birdies that briefly tied him for the lead during the middle of the round. After the first day in Hong Kong, Ortiz leads at -10, with Burmester at -8, and a group including Garcia chasing closely behind at -7 as the tournament heads into Round 2.

Video courtesy of LIV Golf / YouTube Video coverage highlights shown for news and commentary purposes.