2022 LIV Golf in Boston Standings: Matthew Wolff, Talor Gooch share the lead after opening round 63

The fourth LIV Golf event was held Friday at Oaks Course at The International outside of Boston, Massachusetts. After taking over the headlines last week with the acquisition of world No. 2 Cameron Smith, 23-year-old Joaquin Niemann and several other big names, the LIV Golf event in Boston is off to an exciting start.

The new additions to LIV made an immediate impact – which we’ll cover – but that day belongs to Matthew Wolff. Playing in his third LIV Golf event after his Portland debut, Wolff brought the form he found in the final round of the LIV Golf event in Bedminster into the Boston area.

Starting his round with an ace on the second par-3, Wolff caught two birdies to complete the initial nine of the bottom four. With three smaller birds and an eagle on par-5 12, the 23-year-old went home in 3rd to register a first round 7 under 63.

Winning his first single start on the PGA Tour, Wolff has since been eliminated at the professional level in terms of wins. With close calls on a US Open pair, he’ll feel comfortable in the prep pole position over the weekend. Holding the joint lead with Talor Gooch, the two have a one-stroke advantage over Smith and Niemann and will face major championship winners Louis Oosthuizen and Dustin Johnson.

Leaders

T1. Matthew Wolff and Taylor Gooch (-7)

It’s been a bumpy couple of years for Wolff, who has struggled in the professional arena since coming in second to Bryson DeChambeau at the 2020 US Open. Battling demons both on and off the course, Wolff ended up in the final. also became his own, and his first round is a sign of that. Carding a total of six birds, an eagle and a hole in one, California native’s firepower was on display and will be needed over the weekend if he’s up against a hungry swarm.

While Wolff may be as volatile as they come, Gooch has been steadfast in his short LIV Golfing career. He is one of only two players to have finished in the top 10 in each of the first three LIV Golf events and is one of the best in the world from tee to golf. A member of the 4 Aces GC, Gooch has tasted victory in LIV’s team section in the last two events and will now attempt to add a trophy of his own to his mantle.

Other candidates

T3. Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann (-6)

T5. Kevin Na, Bernd Wiesberger, Louis Oosthuizen, Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri (-5)

Smith and Niemann look strong, but the inclusion of Casey in this ranking is quite interesting. After finishing third at the Players Championship in March, the Briton struggled with injuries, often withdrawing shortly before the start of tournaments on the PGA Tour.

Finally fully back to normal, Casey’s swing could allow him to compete with some of the younger players on the LIV Golf track. Wily veterans have proven successful in the first three tournaments of LIV Golf, and Casey seems to be on track to prepare yet another trophy for the “olds”.

First round leader makes LIV Golf history

In only the fourth event in the tournament’s history, the first goal was officially taken. Wolff connected on the 2nd par-3 from 178 yards to become the first LIV Golf member to do so in the competition. The former Oklahoma State standout built momentum from his last 7 under 7 at LIV Golf Bedminster by a similar scoreline in his opening game in Boston. The hole-in-one player played a key role in his first round as he attempted to seal the second professional win of his youth career.

Smith, Niemann continued where they left off

The two biggest deals in the latest wave of LIV Golf acquisitions have impressed in their debuts. Sitting under 6 and just one stroke behind Wolff, the two men who recently made the jump from the PGA Tour will hope to follow in the footsteps of other debutant contenders to win, such as Charl Schwartzel and Henrik Stenson, who won their first LIV golf session.

Team leaderboard