DeChambeau, Howell, Vincent Out Front After Round 1 Of LIV Golf Korea

Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau and teammate Charles Howell III battled for the individual title in LIV Golf’s first visit to Korea last year outside Seoul, with DeChambeau finishing with two late birdies for the win.

It’s a different course and location this week at Asiad Country Club, but the two again find themselves at the top of the LIV Golf Korea leaderboard after Thursday’s first round – only this time they have company.

DeChambeau and Howell share the first-round lead with HyFlyers GC’s Scott Vincent after each shot a 5-under 65. Three players are tied for fourth, one shot back – Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann, Majesticks GC Co-Captain Ian Poulter (who is playing with a torn meniscus) and 4Aces GC’s Thomas Pieters.

Four more players are tied for seventh at 3 under – Ripper GC Captain Cameron Smith, Fireballs GC Captain Sergio Garcia, Southern Guards GC’s Charl Schwartzel and the Majesticks’ Laurie Canter.

Meanwhile, the home favorites Korean Golf Club produced arguably their best performance of the season. Younghan Song and new addition Doyeob Mun each shot 68 to join a large group tied for 11th while the team is tied for fifth at 3 under.

For DeChambeau, he’s happy that he and Howell could rekindle their efforts from last year, when they shared the lead going into the final three holes in what proved to be a riveting battle among teammates.

"I guess Charles and I love Korea," he said.

Howell was happy too, although he knows DeChambeau – already a two-time winner this season on LIV Golf and second to Jon Rahm in the season-long points race – will be tough to dethrone.

"Team-wise, it's wonderful. Individual-wise, it's terrible," Howell said. "Team-wise, I love him up there at the top. Individually, I wish