After nearly two days of rain softened the greens at Hong Kong Golf Club, scoring dropped in Round 1 of LIV Golf Hong Kong, where Carlos Ortiz set the pace with 60 while Sergio Garcia opened with 63.

Speaking at the press conference of  LIV Golf Hong Kong on Thursday, Garcia said a score like 60 requires everything to fall into place.

“A lot of things have to go right for you to shoot 60, not only playing well, but you have to putt well. You have to get a little break here and there when maybe you don't hit the perfect shot.”

That explanation from Sergio Garcia reflected what unfolded in Round 1 at LIV Golf Hong Kong.

Carlos Ortiz reached 10-under during the round after a stretch that included several birdies, along with an eagle starting from the 10th hole. That run moved him two shots clear of the rest of the field.

“Obviously, Carlos must have played amazing. He must have putted really well and kind of did everything the way you're supposed to,” said the 11-time-PGA Tour winner.

The score also helped Torque GC move ahead in the team standings on 21-under, while Smash GC followed on 19-under, and 4Aces GC remained behind.

Meanwhile, the forty-six-year-old opened with a seven-under 63, keeping himself within reach of the leaders as the event moves into the next round.

Sergio Garcia Explains the Play Behind His 63 at LIV Golf Hong Kong

During the press conference, Sergio Garcia reflected on the elements that helped him post 63.

“I felt like I hit my irons really well today. I drove the ball very well, other than maybe two tee shots. I think all of those things add up nicely to a good round.”

That performance was reflected in the numbers from the opening round at LIV Golf Hong Kong.

Garcia signed for 7-under 63, keeping himself close to the leaders after the first day of play. The round also extended his run without a bogey at Hong Kong Golf Club to 63 consecutive holes.

Garcia reached that score by hitting all 18 greens in regulation, which kept him in position for birdie chances throughout the round.

Even so, he finished the day three shots behind leader Carlos Ortiz, who posted 10-under 60, while Dean Burmester stood one shot ahead of Garcia at 8-under.

Can Sergio Garcia close the gap on Carlos Ortiz in the next round? Tell us in the comments and read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu