Chilean Niemann races to 3-shot lead at PGA Riviera event

Joaquin Niemann fired nine birdies in his eight-under-par 63 on Thursday to seize a three-shot lead in the first round of the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational.

The 23-year-old Chilean said the par-71 Riviera Country Club course is one of his favourites on the PGA Tour, and he certainly looked at home there on Thursday.

"I think it's got to be one of my best days on the golf course, especially in a place like this with this history," he said of the classic layout in Pacific Palisades west of downtown Los Angeles.

"I hit the ball great off the tee. My iron play, I was hitting it really close so that makes it a lot easier," added Niemann, who is seeking a second title to go with his win at Greenbrier in 2019.

"The greens were pretty good also today and it wasn't that windy. So yeah, I think the whole game was pretty good today," said Niemann, who was three shots in front of a quartet of players sharing second on five-under-par 66.

That group included defending champion Max Homa, three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, last week's Phoenix Open winner Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young.

"This is why we play golf."@JoacoNiemann is ready to build off his great round today heading into tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/rbeLSpqL3E

World number two Collin Morikawa - who has a chance to seize the top ranking from Spain's Jon Rahm this week - headed a group on 67 that also included Justin Thomas, Charley Hoffman, Jason Kokrak, Cameron Smith and CT Pan.

"It played tough," Morikawa said of a course firmed up by unseasonably hot weather early in the week. "There's some pin locations out there and you just can't miss in some spots.

"I felt like I was swinging it well and then sometimes I would just miss in the right spots and that's what you have to do."

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