Sep. 13, 2024 18:26 PM EST

Koepka Birdies Last 3 Holes For 62 And Builds A 4-Shot Lead At Liv Golf Chicago

Captain Brooks Koepka, of Smash GC, looks on during the first round of LIV Golf Chicago at Bolingbrook Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Bolingbrook, Ill. (LIV Golf via AP) LIV Golf, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Captain Brooks Koepka, of Smash GC, looks on during the first round of LIV Golf Chicago at Bolingbrook Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Bolingbrook, Ill. (LIV Golf via AP)
Captain Joaquín Niemann, of Torque GC, hits on the third hole during the first round of LIV Golf Chicago at Bolingbrook Golf Club, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Bolingbrook, Ill. (Matthew Harris/LIV Golf via AP)
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BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (AP) — Brooks Koepka birdied his last three holes Friday for an 8-under 62, staking him to a four-shot lead after the first round of LIV Golf Chicago, the final individual event of the season.

Koepka is going for a season-high third victory in LIV Golf this season, though his seven finishes out of the top 10 in the 54-man league has left him too far behind to challenge for the individual title and the $18 million bonus.

The race is between Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann.

Niemann had a 68, making five birdies but slowed by a double bogey on the par-4 15th hole at Bolingbrook Golf Course. Rahm made only two birdies in his round of 69.

Koepka, a five-time major champion, already has a league-high five career victories in the Saudi-funded league. He has won this year in Singapore and the Greenbrier. He was four shots ahead of Paul Casey, with Anirban Lahiri another shot behind.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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