KOKRAK LEADS THE WAY FOR SOLID TEAM START IN CHICAGO
SUGAR GROVE, Ill. – Smash GC produced a solid result in Friday’s first round of LIV Golf Chicago, posting a 10-under total counting score that left the team tied for fifth and just three strokes off the lead.
Individually, Jason Kokrak was the team’s top scorer, shooting a 4-under 67 that left him in a 10-way tie for sixth and just one stroke off the leaders. The highlight of Kokrak’s round came at the end when he reeled off three consecutive birdies.
Captain Brooks Koepka and Matthew Wolff each contributed counting scores of 3-under 68, while Chase Koepka shot a 3-over 74.
Brooks, who will head to Rome after Sunday’s round to compete for the U.S. team at next week’s Ryder Cup, played bogey-free golf for his first 17 holes before suffering a bogey at the par-4 18th. In fact, all four Smash players bogeyed the 18th on Friday.
Wolff got off to a fast start and grabbed the early lead, as he was 5 under through his first eight holes. But then he also bogeyed the 18th. He bounced back with consecutive birdies but suffered a double at the par-4 third hole that derailed his momentum.