MIAMI, FL — April 4, 2025
Round 1
Trump National Doral once again lived up to its notorious nickname, The Blue Monster, during Friday’s opening round of LIV Golf Miami. With swirling winds, slick greens, and trouble lurking at every turn, the famed South Florida course forced some of the world’s top players into survival mode. But amid the carnage, one man thrived: Patrick Reed.
The 2014 WGC-Doral champion delivered a dazzling 5-under-par 67 to grab a two-shot solo lead—his first-ever outright lead after any round in a regular-season LIV Golf event. It was a masterclass in control, patience, and shot-making under punishing conditions, even if a double bogey at the last put a small blemish on what had otherwise been a flawless day.
“The first 17 were great,” Reed said. “I hit the ball pretty well off the tee, hit some quality iron shots and made some putts… When I needed to make a putt for a save, I was able to capitalize.”
A Familiar Monster, A Different Test
Doral has long been known for testing every club in a player’s bag, but Friday may have presented the most grueling setup in LIV Golf history. Firm greens, gusty winds, and penal rough created a minefield that spared no one. The field’s average score soared to nearly 2.5 strokes over par, with only nine players managing to break par. A staggering 49 double bogeys or worse were recorded across the field.
Two holes—No. 9 (207-yard par-3) and No. 11 (460-yard par-4)—yielded zero birdies, while the brutal 18th ranked as the toughest hole of the day, averaging 4.648 with eight doubles and four triples or worse.
“There’s a reason why it’s called the Blue Monster. It’s a beast,” said Reed. “When the wind blows here, it’s nerve-wracking.”
Even Torque GC captain Joaquin Niemann, the league’s individual points leader and two-time winner this season, stumbled to a 78. The high scores weren’t limited to lesser-known players; 12 of the 13 teams had at least one player shoot 76 or worse.
The Cream Rises: DeChambeau, Johnson, Mickelson Keep Pace
Just behind Reed on the leaderboard are three major champions with ten combined titles: Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Dustin Johnson, all carding 3-under 69s.
DeChambeau, captain of the Crushers GC, called Doral one of the most difficult venues in pro golf—a place where only those in full command of their game can succeed.
“You have to be playing your absolute best,” he said. “You can’t miss a shot.”
DeChambeau credited improved patience and strategic shot selection for his round and praised his team for their performance. The Crushers were the only squad to finish under par at -2, with Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri each carding 72s and Charles Howell III adding a 73.
“There’s a reason we won here in 2023,” Bryson added. “My guys love this golf course.”
Johnson, the 4Aces GC captain, was similarly impressive, matching Reed’s composed play with a 69 of his own.
“I drove it really nicely, gave myself a lot of chances,” said Johnson. “I’m very pleased with how it went.”
4Aces vs Crushers: A Familiar Rivalry Renewed
After back-to-back Team Championships at Doral—4Aces in 2022 and Crushers in 2023—it feels only right that these two powerhouses are once again locked in battle atop the team leaderboard.
The Crushers hold a slim lead at -2, while the 4Aces are in solo second at even par. No other team is within four shots.
“I’d love to go head-to-head against the Aces,” DeChambeau grinned.
“We’ve got two more rounds,” Johnson replied. “Everybody’s starting to play pretty well.”
The 4Aces were the only team to post two rounds in the 60s on Friday, with Reed’s 67 and Johnson’s 69 balancing out Harold Varner III’s 72 and Thomas Pieters’ painful 80.
Reed in Rhythm: A Leader with Momentum
It wasn’t just the numbers that stood out from Reed’s round—it was the way he did it. Starting on the back nine, he quickly birdied 10 with a stress-free two-putt and got up and down after missing the green at 11, then barely missed another green until the par-3 ninth. The highlight? A miraculous 40-yard bunker shot on the fifth hole that he holed out to save par.
“That one. Or the flighted 5-iron I hit on 18 that didn’t leave the flagstick,” he mused. “That was just quality.”
Even with a double on 9, Reed remained composed. He credited a mental shift for his recent form—no longer trying to force the game.
“The more you try and push it, the more it messes you up,” he said. “You’ve got to let it come to you around here.”
Now, Reed stands poised for a potential breakthrough LIV victory. He already owns seven team titles but has yet to lift an individual trophy in LIV competition.
“36 holes around this place is nothing,” Reed said. “It’s a freaking eternity.”
Mickelson’s Momentum Builds Toward Augusta
At 54 years old, Phil Mickelson continues to defy expectations. His 3-under 69 wasn’t just impressive for his age—it tied for the second-lowest round of the day and marked another step in what has been a resurgent season.
He credited a change in approach, particularly on tee shots where he’s choosing smarter lines rather than relying on distance.
“I’m not going to overpower the course like Bryson,” he said. “But I can eliminate mistakes.”
Mickelson’s round included just one bogey and showcased elite lag putting and course management. He ranked among the leaders in scrambling (83.3%) and driving accuracy (78.57%).
“It’s fun for me to play well. I’m really enjoying this.”
His performance bodes well ahead of next week’s Masters, where he’s a three-time champion.
Other Notables & Storylines
• Jon Rahm, who entered the event with a LIV-record 21 consecutive rounds under par, finally saw his streak end with a 1-over 73. He’s T-16 heading into Saturday.
• Phil Mickelson is leading multiple stat categories, including scrambling and driving accuracy.
• Dean Burmester launched the longest drive of the day at 384.5 yards on the first hole.
• Bryson DeChambeau and Matthew Wolff led the way in driving distance, averaging 337.6 yards.
• No players posted bogey-free rounds, a testament to Doral’s difficulty.
Team Leaderboard – Round 1
| Rank | Team | Score | Notable Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crushers GC | -2 | DeChambeau 69, Casey 72, Lahiri 72 |
| 2 | 4Aces GC | E | Reed 67, Johnson 69, Varner III 72 |
| 3 | Fireballs GC | +5 | Garcia 70, Masaveu 72, Ancer 74 |
| 4 | Ripper GC | +7 | Leishman 71, Smith 73, Jones 74 |
| 5 | Legion XIII | +8 | Surratt 72, Rahm 73, McKibbin 73 |
| T7 | HyFlyers GC | +11 | Mickelson 69, Tringale 73, Steele 75 |
| T7 | Iron Heads GC | +11 | Jang 74, Na 74, D. Lee 75 |
| 9 | Torque GC | +12 | Muñoz 70, Ortiz 74, Niemann 78 |
| T10 | Smash GC | +13 | Koepka 73, Kokrak 73, Gooch 76 |
| T10 | RangeGoats GC | +13 | Uihlein 72, Watson 76, Wolff 75 |
| 12 | Majesticks GC | +16 | Horsfield 75, Poulter 75, Stenson 76 |
| 13 | Cleeks GC | +22 | Kaymer 75, Kjettrup 78, Meronk 78 |
Looking Ahead: The Weekend Awaits
With only two rounds remaining, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion. Will Patrick Reed finally secure his long-awaited individual LIV victory? Can Crushers GC go back-to-back at Doral? Will Mickelson’s renaissance continue into Augusta?
One thing’s for sure: the Blue Monster still has plenty of bite left in it.
“It’s a grinder’s golf course,” Reed said. “You can’t be robotic. You have to see shots and trust your game.”
After Friday’s bloodbath, the survivors regroup for Saturday. The leaders may have separated themselves, but with 36 holes to go and Doral showing no mercy, nothing is certain.
By Angel Martinez, Golf Correspondent
