News and notes: Kaymer in great shape in Houston

HUMBLE, Texas – It’s tight at the top of the LIV Golf Houston leaderboard, with Caleb Surratt, Martin Kaymer and Adrian Meronk tied for the individual lead, but there has been plenty more news, notes and stats from the round d opening at the Houston Golf Club.

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KAYMER ROUNDED IN SHAPE: Cleeks GC Captain Martin Kaymer’s bogey-free 7-under 65 is his lowest round relative to par in LIV Golf. It’s the perfect continuation of a resurgence in his play now that he is no longer compromised by the wrist issues that have impacted his performance over the past 18 months.

Kaymer entered LIV Golf Houston after back-to-back top-20 finishes in Adelaide and Singapore, his best two-start streak since the inaugural 2022 season.

“It all started in Hong Kong and then I was getting better and better,” said Kaymer, whose round was fueled by four straight birdies on the first hole. “The little things, once they fall into place, tricks like this can happen.

“I’m still not where I’d like to be, but everything is pretty consistent now.”

The timing of Kaymer’s improved game couldn’t be better scripted. He is one of 12 LIV Golf players who will compete next week in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, where he dominated 10 years ago by 8 strokes to win his second major title.

Not that he’s thinking about it this week in Houston.

“I still have to play two more rounds,” Kaymer said, “so my mindset will go to Pinehurst.”

FAMILIARITY OF THE SURRATT COURSE: Many of the 54 players competed at The Golf Club of Houston when it hosted the Houston Open, but that was at least five years ago.

Caleb Surratt, the least experienced player in the field, might have the most recent course experience alongside local resident Patrick Reed. While playing at the University of Tennessee, Surratt competed in a collegiate event 15 months ago on the course.

“It was definitely a little bit different conditions, with a lot more fans and a little tougher setup,” Surratt said of Friday’s return. “But I’ve seen the golf course and I feel comfortable.”

SPEAKING OF REED: The 4Aces GC star had a significant following among family, friends and fans en route to a 5-under 67, leaving him in a seven-way tie for sixth place in the second round.

“It definitely gave me a lot of energy today to go out there and put up a number for them and play well,” Reed said. “I hope to come out this weekend and continue the momentum.”

MERONK STRING MUSIC: Co-leader Adrian Meronk of Cleeks GC had two sets of three consecutive birdies in his bogey-free 65. This is his lowest round against par in LIV Golf since his 8-under 62 in the first round at LIV Golf Jeddah.

PAST WINNERS: Five former winners of the Houston Open at The Golf Club of Houston are in the field this week.

Majesticks GC co-captain Ian Poulter (2018 winner) and Crushers GC Paul Casey (2009 winner) had the lowest rounds on Friday, each shooting a 5-under 67.

Ripper GC’s Matt Jones (2014 winner) shot 68 while HyFlyers GC captain Phil Mickelson (2011 winner) shot 71.

Wild card player Anthony Kim, whose victory at the 2010 Houston Open was his last victory before retiring two years later, was 1 under until he committed his final two holes to settle for a 73.

“The last 2 holes are disappointing but I saw so many positives today,” Kim wrote on her X account.

CATLIN MAKES LIV GOLF DEBUT: John Catlin, the Asian Tour points leader who replaces injured Crushers GC player Charles Howell III, shot a 1-under 71 in his first round at a LIV golf tournament.

STATISTICS LEADERS OF THE 1ST ROUND

Driving precision: Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Louis Oosthuizen, Danny Lee, Brooks Koepka, 85.71% (12 out of 14 fairways hit)

Driving distance: Carlos Ortiz, 336.5 yards average.

Longest drive: Matthew Wolff, 361.4 yards, 13th hole

Greens in regulation: Paul Casey, Kalle Samooja, Mito Pereira, Brendan Steele, Henrik Stenson, John Catlin, 83.33% (15 of 18 greens)

Jamming: Lucas Herbert (8 of 8), Adrian Meronk (8 of 8), Matt Jones (7 of 7), Louis Oosthuizen (7 of 7), Martin Kaymer (5 of 5), Joaquin Niemann (5 of 5), Caleb Surratt (4 of 4), Paul Casey (3 of 3), Henrik Stenson (3 of 3), 100%

Putting: Adrian Meronk, 1.22 putts per hole

Bogey-free rounds: Martin Kaymer (65 years old), Adrian Meronk (65 years old), Caleb Surratt (65 years old), Joaquin Niemann (67 years old), Paul Casey (67 years old), Matt Jones (68 years old), Louis Oosthuizen (69 years old), Lucas Herbert (69), Henrik Stenson (70)