Carlos Ortiz took the early lead after finishing in the round of 60 at LIV Hong Kong.

Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz took the lead after the first round at LIV Golf Hong Kong on Thursday, finishing with a 60 for 8 under par over the final seven holes.

Ortiz, who started the game at the 18th hole of the Old Royal Course at Fanling Hong Kong Golf Club, had three birdies and one bogey in the first 10 holes.

However, I caught three birdies in a row starting from the 10th hole, followed by an eagle at the par 5 13th hole, and then another birdie. Ortiz recorded par on number 15 and finished the game with two birdies on the par 70 course.

“It was a really good round,” he said. “I think I started a little slower than I finished, but the highlight was a great par at 9, which I think is huge. Then I chipped in at 11, and I think it gave me momentum because I had just hit 10. It wasn’t that great, but the chip at 11 gave me momentum. Obviously, I played great.”

Ortiz entered the second round with a two-shot lead, while Dean Burmester shot a 62 to take sole second place. South Africa ranked 13th with 7 birdies, 1 bogey, and 1 eagle like Ortiz.

“I played really great from the first tee shot to the last tee shot,” Burmester said. “I barely missed a golf shot. I left a few putts in, but that’s golf. I’m very proud of the way we came together and kept pushing for birdies. I saw a lot of guys make birdies and I did the same. Normally when that happens you feel like you have to chase it, but I never felt that way. I just felt like it was in me, so it’s definitely one of the good practices.”

There isn’t much breathing room at the top of the leaderboard for Ortiz and Burmester. Four players were tied for third place after 63 rounds. The group includes Talor Gooch and Spain’s Sergio Garcia, the defending champion who found the course to his liking.

“It rained all day Tuesday, and obviously it rained quite a bit yesterday as well,” he said. “The course was as easy as you’d expect from here. The greens were soft, not too fast. The fairways were smooth, lifted, clean and laid out. But you still have to hit shots and putts. It was nice to be able to do that.”

Ortiz’s low round helped Torque GC take the first round lead of the team competition at 21 under par, followed by captain Gooch’s Smash GC at 19 under par. Dustin Johnson’s ace took third place at 13 under par.

–Field level media