Lucas Herbert set a new course record with an 11-under-par 61 in the opening round of LIV Golf United Kingdom Presented by JCB at the JCB Golf & Country Club. The bogey-free performance on Thursday surpassed the previous record of 62, established four years ago on the same par-72 layout.
Herbert's round marked the lowest score relative to par in his LIV Golf career. He made the turn at 5-under-par 31 and added six more birdies on the back nine, narrowly missing a putt on the 17th that could have put him in contention for a sub-60 round. Herbert credited recent successes, including a win at LIV Golf Virginia in May and a strong performance at The Open Championship, for bolstering his confidence.
"I feel like I'm getting a new taste for being out there at the top of the leaderboard," Herbert said. "I think once you've been there and done that a little bit, you have the confidence that you know you can do it."
Following closely behind Herbert is Bryson DeChambeau, who carded an 8-under-par 64. DeChambeau, who led through the first two rounds at LIV Golf’s previous event in Royal Birkdale, made an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole and added three birdies on his back nine, despite a late bogey on the 16th.
Herbert's team, Ripper GC, leads the team standings at 19-under-par, with strong contributions from Marc Leishman (68) and Cameron Smith (69). DeChambeau's Crushers GC is in second place at 15-under-par, aided by rounds of 68 from Charles Howell III and Anirban Lahiri.
Tyrrell Hatton and Harold Varner III are tied for third individually at 6-under-par 66. Hatton's performance anchored Legion XIII to a tie for third on the team leaderboard at 8-under-par.
Majesticks Golf Club, playing on home soil, is tied for sixth as a team at 3-under-par, led by Ian Poulter's 4-under-par 68. Other notable players include Caleb Surratt, Peter Uihlein, Cameron Smith, and Thomas Detry, all within striking distance of the leaders.