Sergio Garcia part of 5-way tie for the lead in LIV Golf

SUGAR GROVE, Ill. (AP) — Sergio Garcia had an eagle and four birdies for a 5-under 66 on Friday, putting the Spaniard in a five-way share of the lead at Rich Harvest Farms in LIV Golf’s return after a five-week break.

Louis Oosthuizen, Anirban Lahiri, Jediah Morgan and Sebastian Muñoz also were at 66 on a day when it was hard for any of the 48 players to get any kind of separation.

Phil Mickelson was among those who couldn’t keep pace, posting a 74 for last in the field.

It’s not unusual for Garcia to play well in late September, though usually it’s for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup. Garcia resigned his European tour membership after joining LIV and will not be part of the Ryder Cup for the first time in his pro career.

Brooks Koepka is the only LIV player who is competing in the Ryder Cup next week outside Rome. He was a captain’s pick for the Americans after narrowly missing out on an automatic spot. Koepka was in the large group at 68, along with Dustin Johnson.

Points leader Cameron Smith shot 69.

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