GOLF: Victor Perez fires 9-under 62 to lead LIV Golf Mexico City

Victor Perez of France posted a career-best 9-under 62 to take a three-shot lead after the opening round of LIV Golf Mexico City on Thursday in Naucalpan, Mexico.

Perez, a rookie on the LIV Tour, sank 11 birdies and birdied his last four holes at Club de Golf Chapultepec to fend off Jon Rahm of Spain, who hit seven birdies en route to a 6-under 65. Seeking his second win of the season, Rahm closed his day with his lone bogey.

"Obviously very happy to finish with four birdies," Perez said. "First hole, probably got a little bit lucky because I think it rolled through the bunker on the left and then got up-and-down for birdie. The second hole, drove it on and two-putted for birdie. Third hole, hit a great pitching wedge on that really small shelf on the left, two, three feet, so it's nice to have a short putt.

"Then the fourth, hit a 3-wood a bit on the left, as well. I think it just covered the tree and then made it far enough down to have a gap wedge and hit that one stiff, as well. So it was nice to not have to deal with long putts at the end."

As for Rahm, whose parents are at this week's event, he was able to set aside the chatter this week regarding LIV Golf's future and focus on the task at hand.

"Just not really generally wasting my time on things I can't control," Rahm said. "So my mindset was to keep working on the week and operate as normal and keep working on the things that I feel like I needed to be working on and prepare for the tournament. That was it."

In an interview with LIV employees on the TV broadcast of the first round, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil admitted the league's finances are "managed very tightly" and said structural changes are on the way, but remained adamant Thursday that the league will not fold.

Seven players, including Americans Dustin Johnson and Harold Varner III, are tied for third at 4 under. They are joined by England's Ian Poulter, Belgium's Thomas Detry, Zimbabwe's Scott Vincent and South Korea's Minkyu Kim and Younghan Song.

"Hitting good chip shots is definitely key, and I did it a couple of times today when I was a little bit out of position," Poulter said. "But more importantly, I actually played great golf today. Very happy to be in the house. Shame to bogey the last. I was right in the middle of the fairway with a perfect number in and hit a lovely shank. But it's this great game that we play."

Fresh off his Masters debut, Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin was among a pack at 3 under, which also included Dean Burmester of South Africa.

Bryson DeChambeau, aiming to become the first player in LIV Golf history to win three straight individual events, is in a large tie for 29th after opening with an even-par round of 71.

Rahm's solid effort, along with support from McKibbin and England's Tyrell Hatton (2-under 69), has Legion XII on top of the team rankings at 9 under.

Legion XII are followed by 4Aces GC (6 under), just ahead of Smash GC and Majesticks Golf Club (both 5 under). Despite Perez's impressive 62, Cleeks Golf Club are fifth at 4 under.

-Field Level Media/Reuters