BEDMINSTER, N.J. — Joaquin Niemann knows what it means to turn a first-round lead into a LIV Golf victory.

The Torque GC captain opened LIV Golf New York on Thursday with a bogey-free 7-under 64 at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, taking a two-shot lead over Ripper GC’s Lucas Herbert and Majesticks GC co-captain Ian Poulter.

The last time Niemann held the solo lead after the opening round of a LIV event, he went on to win. That came in the 2024 season opener at Mayakoba, where he shot a historic 59 — the first of his league-record eight individual victories.

Niemann was in complete control Thursday, leading the field in Greens in Regulation, Strokes Gained Off the Tee and Strokes Gained Approach. He also made about 140 feet of putts, tying his lowest round relative to par in 41 LIV Golf rounds this season.

Asked if it was his best round of the year, Niemann joked: “I have a pretty bad memory, so I’ll say yes.”

His round featured a 20-foot birdie putt, a 40-foot putt from off the green and a 52-foot birdie putt. He also holed an 18-footer late in the round to save par and keep his card clean.

“I’m just excited right now for the chance to be leading in the first round,” Niemann said. “The putts are going in, which is nice. It’s nice to see that. I’m just excited for what’s coming next.”

Standing in his way is Herbert, who has been LIV Golf’s hottest player. The Australian won his second title of the season two weeks ago at LIV Golf United Kingdom, where he finished at a record 30-under par.

Herbert was again bogey-free Thursday and successfully scrambled all eight times he missed greens. He has made only one bogey over his last 63 holes and will play in the final group Friday for the fifth straight round.

“Been in very good form lately,” said the 30-year-old Herbert. “It’s been fun to ride that wave.”

Poulter also went bogey-free and continued his recent resurgence. The 50-year-old Englishman has three top-20 finishes in his last four LIV starts and hopes to replicate former Majesticks teammate Henrik Stenson’s 2022 victory at Bedminster.

Torque also leads the team competition by three shots, with Ripper and HyFlyers tied for second and Majesticks fourth.

Torque has posted three podium finishes and eight top-five results this season but has not won since last year’s regular-season finale in Indianapolis.

“The whole team is playing great,” Niemann said. “It’s just a matter of time.”