Johnson, Garcia share lead, Stinger GC tops team leaderboard at LIV Golf Chicago

BOLINGBROOK: Sergio Garcia may be regaining his form from earlier this season. Dustin Johnson may be rounding into form.

In Friday’s first round at LIV Golf Chicago, the two captains and major champions showed they’re ready to make plenty of noise as the 2025 season nears its conclusion.

Garcia, the Fireballs GC captain, shot a 4-under 67 that was matched by Johnson, the 4Aces captain, for a share of the lead at a challenging Bolingbrook Golf Club. The two will start Saturday’s second Round 1 stroke ahead of a six-player chase pack that includes four other major champions: Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.

On the team leaderboard, South African Stinger GC shot a cumulative 6 under to lead by one stroke over Garcia’s Fireballs, with Johnson’s 4Aces and DeChambeau’s Crushers tied for third at 3 under. The Stingers are looking to break a drought of 31 tournaments without a team win.

Two weeks ago at LIV Golf UK by JCB, Johnson finished last in the 54-man field but bounced back on Friday thanks mostly to a nine-hole stretch in which he posted five birdies. It’s the second time this season he’s gone from worst in one tournament to the lead in the first round of the next tournament. He finished 54th in Hong Kong, then had the solo lead after 18 holes in Singapore, eventually tying for fifth.

“To be honest, even in the UK, I did not play nearly as bad as my score,” Johnson said. “I know my score was horrible, but I actually hit a lot of good shots.”

He’s been hitting plenty of good shots lately. Prior to the UK event, he had finished in the top 10 in three of five starts, his best stretch this season as he chases his first win of 2025. He certainly hit some terrific shots Friday, despite