Japan’s Kozuma holds early Liv Golf Adelaide lead
Kunichiro Kazuma – walks to the 12th tee today – image courtesy of LIV Golf
Liv Golf returned to Australian shores this week with the second staging of LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club and if the first day was anything to go by then the event promises to exceed the heights of its debut in Adelaide twelve months ago.
Crowds were estimated to be at 35,000 on day one and with the weekend still ahead, then a record crowd in Australian golf could well be recorded over the weekend.
At the completion of the first 18 of 54 holes, Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma has a one shot lead over New Zealand’s Danny Lee.
Kozuma has previously won events such as the Visa Taiheiyo Masters and the Token Homemate Cup on the Japan Tour so is already a credentialed player, but to date in his Liv Golf career since gaining his full playing rights via a promotions event in 2023 he has shown little indication that his great start today was on the cards.
“It was their first time here to the event, and I wanted to play really well in front of my family and impress all the family,” said Kozuma. “I guess I got to do that, and I’m really happy about that.
“I haven’t been playing well the last couple tournaments, and I wanted to play really well. Coming to Adelaide, I wanted to try to do my best and try and get up there.”
Kozuma leads by one over Danny Lee and Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz, Ortiz a winner on the PGA Tour when successful at the Houston Open in 2020 and earlier this year won the International Series event in Oman.
Ortiz’s best finished to date in Liv Golf was when runner-up in the Portland event in 2022.
Matt Jones is the leading Australian after day one, his round of 6 under 66 leaving him one ahead of Marc Leishman, while Cam Smith has made a solid start to be in a share of 16th place at 4 under.
Jones believes that a different perspective on the event this year compared to the expectations of last year has helped in his great start.
“I think we came in a little more relaxed this year. I know last year we all wanted to play well and we didn’t, and I think this year we’re a little more relaxed and just let the golf course come to us and not try and push anything and just play our game.”
