Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia Share Lead After Round One at LIV Golf Chicago 2025

Bolingbrook Golf Club, Chicago, Illinois – August 8, 2025

The opening round of LIV Golf Chicago at Bolingbrook Golf Club delivered a compelling storyline as two of the game’s heavyweights, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia, emerged tied for the lead at 4-under par with matching 67s. In windy conditions and on a challenging course with firm greens and tricky pin placements, both players showcased their veteran poise, setting the stage for an intriguing weekend battle.

Dustin Johnson: Steady in the Storm

As captain of 4Aces GC, Dustin Johnson navigated the blustery conditions with the calm precision that has defined his storied career. His 67 was a blend of resilience and opportunism, though not without its blemishes. “It was really solid,” Johnson said during his press conference. “Tough conditions. It was really windy, tough flags. Played pretty solid. Made a few mistakes. Hit some really poor wedge shots.”

Johnson’s round was highlighted by strong iron play and a hot putter, which he leaned on to offset a few wayward wedges and a bogey on the par-4 3rd, where he lamented a poor shot from the fairway. Despite these hiccups, he capitalized on his chances, noting, “I hit a lot of really good iron shots. Drive it halfway decent. When I did miss it, I missed it on the right side and gave myself opportunities.”

For Johnson, who has made a habit of winning at least one tournament every year as a professional, the clock is ticking to extend that streak. “I probably wouldn’t have thought about it until you just asked me,” he quipped when reminded of the milestone. With two events left in the LIV Golf season and additional fall tournaments on his schedule, the former world No. 1 is well-positioned to keep the streak alive.

Johnson also credited the return of his longtime caddie, A.J., for providing a sense of familiarity after a subpar performance at LIV Golf UK. “Having A.J. on the bag definitely—he’s been on the bag for a long time now, so when he’s not on the bag, it’s definitely a little bit different,” he said. The reunion seemed to steady Johnson, who turned a shaky start into a “nice solid day” by rolling in key putts and finding his rhythm with quality shots down the stretch.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Johnson emphasized the need to sharpen his driving and wedge play. “I need to drive it a little straighter and wedge it a little bit better, too,” he noted. With a bunched leaderboard and the depth of talent in LIV Golf, he knows the importance of a strong start in the 54-hole format: “You need to be within a couple shots of the lead going into Sunday to have a chance.”

Sergio Garcia: Patience Pays Off

Fireballs GC captain Sergio Garcia matched Johnson’s 67 with a performance that blended precision and patience. “Tricky day out there,” Garcia said post-round. “It’s a strong golf course with quite a bit firm greens and quite a bit of wind. It was very tricky to be able to hit the right numbers going into the greens, but I was able to do that for most of the day.”

Garcia’s round featured a flurry of birdies, including five or six tap-ins that capitalized on the day’s tough conditions. However, bogeys on the 15th and 16th—particularly the latter, where he hit two great shots only to be undone by a wind-fueled miscalculation—kept his score from going lower. When asked if he got the most out of his round, Garcia was philosophical: “It is what it is. If I shot 4-under, it’s because I was meant to shoot 4-under.”

The Spaniard’s performance was buoyed by a return to form with an old putter he dusted off in Austin the previous week. “I grabbed an old putter of mine that I’ve always liked,” he explained. “If the greens are fast, it’s a putter that I can feel quite comfortable with.” The decision paid dividends, as Garcia rolled in several key putts, including a few that felt like a return to the form he displayed earlier in the season.

Garcia also praised the emergence of his Fireballs teammate, Josele Ballester, who posted a strong round of his own. “You turn pro, and it’s not easy,” Garcia said, noting the challenges of transitioning from amateur to professional golf. “The last round at Valderrama was big for him to be able to shoot 4-under on a tough course like Valderrama. It kind of gave him a lot of confidence.” That momentum carried into Chicago, where Josele’s play added depth to the Fireballs’ effort.

As for his own game, Garcia remains focused on consistency and patience. “Just keep playing, keep doing good things, and be patient out there because it’s not easy,” he said. With a new putter from Swiss company Golfyr on the horizon, Garcia is optimistic about fine-tuning his game as the season progresses.

The Road Ahead

With the leaderboard tightly packed, the stage is set for a thrilling weekend at Bolingbrook. Both Johnson and Garcia understand the stakes in LIV Golf’s condensed format, where a fast start can be the difference between victory and playing catch-up. Johnson’s focus on tightening his driving and wedges will be critical, while Garcia’s emphasis on patience and precision on the greens could prove decisive.

As two of the game’s most decorated players, Johnson and Garcia bring experience and firepower to the top of the leaderboard. With 36 holes to go, their shared lead after round one promises a high-stakes showdown in Chicago. For Johnson, it’s a chance to extend his annual winning streak; for Garcia, it’s an opportunity to reclaim the form that made him a fan favorite. Either way, LIV Golf Chicago is shaping up to be a battle for the ages.

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