Johnson and Mickelson "Start at 1 Under Par"... Schwartzel "Leads at 5 Under Par"

LIV Golf Invitational Series Opening Day Tied 7th, Du Plessis 2nd, Kongwatmai and Vincent Tied 3rd

Dustin Johnson (left) and Phil Mickelson are playing together on the green of the 4th hole at the LIV Golf Invitational Series opening event. London, England - Getty Images/Multivitz

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Dustin Johnson (USA) had a 'steady start.'

On the 10th (Korean time), at the Centurion Golf Club in London, England (par 70, 7,032 yards), the opening day of the LIV Golf Invitational Series, he scored 1-under par and tied for 7th place. The 'oldest major champion' Phil Mickelson (USA) joined this group. Charl Schwartzel led with 5-under par 65, Hennie du Plessis (both South Africa) was in 2nd place with 4-under par 66, and Patchara Kongwatmai (Thailand) and Scott Vincent (Zimbabwe) were tied for 3rd place with 3-under par 67.

This tournament is a new global professional golf tour supported by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). Starting in England, it consists of a total of eight events. Forty-eight players are divided into 12 teams by draft and play three rounds without a cut-off. The total prize money per tournament is $25 million (31.6 billion KRW), including $20 million for individual competition and $5 million for team competition. The individual winner takes home $4 million (5 billion KRW). Even the lowest prize money is $120,000 (150 million KRW).

Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, dominated the top of the leaderboard. His strong finish, reducing six strokes in the last nine holes, stood out. Schwartzel, who said it was "very exciting," explained, "I realized my performance was important to the team," and "I paid attention for both individual and team."

Du Plessis made three birdies in the first four holes. Brandon Grace and Justin Harding (both South Africa) were tied for 5th place with 2-under par 68.

In the team competition, 'Team Stinger,' led by Schwartzel and du Plessis, took a six-stroke lead (9-under par), while 'Team High Flyers,' including Mickelson, and 'Team Crushers' are tied for 2nd place (3-under par), watching for opportunities. 'Team Majestics' is in 4th place (2-under par), and 'Team 4 Aces,' led by Johnson, is in 5th place (1-under par). The team competition awards $3 million to the winning team, $1.5 million to 2nd place, and $500,000 to 3rd place, divided among the four team members.

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