South Africa's Southern Guards GC take team lead on opening day of LIV Golf South Africa

The all-South African Southern Guards GC team - consisting of Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester and Louis Oosthuizen - did not disappoint the thousands of fans who turned up to watch the action at Steyn City Golf Club in Johannesburg on Thursday, combining for an overall total of 18 under par to take a one-shot lead in the team competition.

Grace led the way with a superb seven-under-par 64 that included six birdies and an eagle, closely followed by Schwartzel's 66, Burmester's 67 and a two-under 69 from captain Oosthuizen.

Rounds of 63 were enough to give Howell III and DeChambeau the individual lead heading into Friday's second round. DeChambeau mixed nine birdies with a single bogey on a productive day, while Howell went bogey-free in his eight-birdie round.

Grace follows in a tie for third alongside Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who equalled his 64 on the day.

Former Spanish World No 1 Jon Rahm opened with a well-played 65 to share fifth place on six under alongside Talor Gooch.

Schwartzel follows in a large 10-way tie for seventh on five under, a group that includes Jason Kokrak, Harold Varner III, Thomas Detry, Cameron Smith, Lee Westwood and Abraham Ancer.

Playing in his first LIV tournament of the year, Phil Mickelson finished in a tie for last place after a four-over 75, though he did make a closing birdie to limit the damage.

With Smash GC's Gooch, Kokrak and Varner III all well-placed, they lie in second place behind the South African foursome in the team competition, trailing by a single shot.

Tee times for Thursday's opening round in Johannesburg were brought forward by more than two hours due to poor weather forecast for later in the day.

Originally set for a 12:15 PM start, action instead got underway at 10:05 AM local time.

Officials confirmed that subsequent rounds - Friday through Sunday - will maintain their scheduled 12:15 PM starts for Rounds 2 and 3, with Round 4 set for 12:05 PM, providing the weather doesn't intervene.