Wolff sets the pace with opening round 61 at LIV Greenbrier – WV MetroNews

Matthew Wolff has struggled for a good portion of the 2023 LIV Golf season.

Perhaps a trip to The Greenbrier’s Old White Course is just what Wolff needed to refine his game.

Wolff set the pace at the first major professional golf event in West Virginia in four years, carding a 9-under par 61 for a two-shot lead through the first of three rounds.

“It was really solid,” Wolff said. “I felt like I was super locked in from the start, and I just stuck to my process. Did what I know how to do, and been working hard, so just went out there, tried to shoot the best score that I can, and I guess today was one of those days that I went low.

“It’s golf, and just because I shot low today doesn’t mean — it might not go the same tomorrow. I’m really happy with where I’m at and the hard work that I’ve put in, and I’m just going to go out there and do my thing.”

A member of Team Smash through LIV’s team format, Wolff began his round with a birdie on the par-3 8th hole. His next birdie — the second of eight — came at the par-4 11th, and an eagle on the par-5 12th followed. 

Wolff also made birdies on the par-4 13th, 14th, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th holes. His lone bogey came at No. 3 — a 220-yard par 3.

The 61 tied for the low round in LIV’s brief history. Before Friday, half of Wolff’s last eight rounds on the LIV circuit were between 76-78 and he hadn’t shot better than 70.

“Nothing has changed,” Wolff said. “I just go out here and I give it my best every single day. It’s golf. It’s a roller coaster, and I’m learning to accept the good and the bad as they come and roll with it. I haven’t changed anything.”

Wolff has a two-shot lead on David Puig and Harold Varner III. Both carded rounds of 7-under 63. 

Puig, a member of Team Torque, recorded eight birdies against a bogey at the par-4 2nd, while Varner, of the RangeGoats, made five birdies to go with an eagle on the 615-yard par-5 17th hole.

“That was awesome. I like making eagles, and I’m super fortunate to make a lot of them right now, so enjoy it while it’s happening,” said Varner, who made his LIV-best 14th eagle of the season.

Dean Burmester and Cameron Triangle round out the top 5 in a two-way tie at 6-under.

Nine golfers finished with rounds of 65 to form a lengthy tie for sixth. They are: Joaquin Niemann, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Laurie Canter, Peter Uihlein, Charles Howell III, Jason Kokrak, Talor Gooch and Louis Oosthuizen.

Niemann won the most recent PGA TOUR event at Old White back in 2019. 

“Having all the good memories, kind of like a good vibe to be here,” Niemann said. “Obviously I’ve got to play really good golf this weekend to have a chance.”

Koepka, a five-time major champion, is one of 13 major champions among LIV’s 48-player field. Only Phil Mickelson, with six majors, has more than Koepka among LIV golfers.

Mickelson opened with a round of 66. He began on the par-3 18th hole and was within inches of making an ace.

Bubba Watson, a former resident at The Greenbrier, shot a 67.

On the strength of Wollf’s 61 and Koepka and Kokrak’s 65s, Team Smash leads the 12-team standings by four shots at 19-under. 

Saturday’s second round begins at 1:15 p.m with a shotgun start. Pairings can be found here.