Louis Oosthuizen started like a house on fire on Thursday in the Asian Tour’s PIF Saudi International with a bogey-free five-under-par 65 for the first round at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

In what is an opportunity for players committed to LIV Golf to earn some world ranking points ahead of the rush to the start of the major season for 2023, Oosthuizen’s score left him in a share of third, two strokes behind Abraham Ancer of Mexico. Sebastian Munoz of Colombia was in second on six-under.

Oosthuizen started with three birdies in the first four holes, and then he made two more after the turn. He shared third with Sergio Garcia and Cameron Young of the United States. There are strong rumours that Young will be the next to jump ship to LIV Golf.

One shot behind Oosthuizen was Ian Snyman, who also made five birdies, but dropped a shot on the fifth hole. He was in a share of sixth with Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe. Hennie du Plessis carded a three-under for a share of ninth with, amongst others, Patrick Reed and Richard Bland.

Charl Schwartzel opened with a level-par 70, Branden Grace was on one-over with Jbe’ Kruger, and Justin Harding opened up with a three-over-par 73.