Thomas Detry Shines in LIV Golf Debut, Ties for Lead After Round 1 at Riyadh

Thomas Detry made an impressive entrance into the LIV Golf League, carding a 7-under 65 to tie for the lead after the opening round of ROSHN Group LIV Golf Riyadh at Riyadh Golf Club. In his first event with 4 Aces GC after being selected as a captain’s pick by Dustin Johnson, Detry reflected on the thrill of competing in a team environment. “I’ve always loved the team atmosphere,” he said. “Even though you’re having a bad day or anything can happen, you’re still fighting and you know that 6 is better than a 7.” The Belgian golfer, who gave up a full-time PGA TOUR card to join LIV, described the debut as a “dream start,” highlighting the camaraderie with teammates Dustin Johnson and longtime friend Thomas Pieters.

Watch 54 Golf's latest podcast, "OWGR Points Arrive As Bryson & Rahm Battle Over 54 vs 72 Holes"

Detry got off to a strong start, crediting excellent driving that kept him in the fairways on a course that becomes more penalizing when accuracy falters. “I drove it so well out there, so it made my job pretty easy,” he noted. Playing under the lights presented unique challenges, but Detry prepared by practicing at night courses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with his coach. He adjusted his sleep schedule—starting days at 6:00 p.m.—and adapted to slower greens and increased spin from evening dew. Despite the initial nerves of a new league and format, Detry settled into a comfortable flow, particularly enjoying the back nine and the vibrant atmosphere with music and lights.

The round included a standout moment on the par-3 fifth hole, where Detry hit a “pretty amazing high soft landing 6-iron with a little fade,” which he called the shot of the day. Paired with Jason Kokrak and Anthony Kim, whom he met for the first time, Detry was impressed by Kim’s game and appreciated the quick pace of play. “I was really happy out there,” he said. “I didn’t really know what to expect… but as the holes went on and I got off to a good start, I was able to get into a flow.”

Reflecting on his timing, Detry connected his strong performance to the benefits of rest. Exactly one year after winning the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, he noted a pattern of thriving early in seasons following good preparation and downtime. “I feel like I thrive from getting some good rest,” he explained. “Out here I feel like I’ve got more stretches and little blocks where I can rest… I’ve had two months to work on my game and spend time with the family.” The shift from the demanding PGA TOUR schedule has allowed him to arrive mentally fresh and ready.

Detry also addressed the recent team transition following Patrick Reed’s departure from 4 Aces GC. “It was a shock for me, to be honest,” he said, noting he had spent time with Reed in Dubai and Bahrain just days earlier. Despite the unexpected change, Detry has quickly bonded with captain Dustin Johnson, spending a week together in Florida and describing him as “going to be a great boss.”

Looking ahead, Detry emphasized enjoyment and consistency as keys to sustaining his performance. “I’m just going to keep enjoying the week,” he said. “I’ve got a team surrounding me now… We’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing—good recovery, good food, good rest.” With low scores across the board signaling a potential sprint over the next three days, Detry plans to stay aggressive and focused. His debut has set an exciting tone for both himself and 4 Aces GC in the 2026 LIV Golf season opener.

Quotes, data, and photos courtesy of LIV Golf