PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Joaquin Niemann became the second LIV Golf player in as many years with a sub-60 round, closing with two pars for a 12-under 59 to build a five-shot lead as the Saudi-funded league began its third season Friday at LIV Golf Mayakoba.

Niemann had a chance to match the LIV record with one last birdie, but his wedge into his final hole — No. 1 at El Camaleon in the shotgun start — came up about 10 feet short of the green. He took two putts for his first 59 in competition. Bryson DeChambeau last year shot 58 in the final round at Greenbrier

He led by five shots over Patrick Reed.

Niemann knew he was playing well, he just wasn’t sure how much under par he was. El Camaleon plays to a par 71. This didn’t register with the 25-year-old Chilean until he was 12 under playing his final hole and heard shouts of 58.

“I got to 12 and didn’t realize it was 72 or 71 and didn’t want to do the math,” Niemann said. “People started to say, ‘Go for 58.’ Not my best wedge, but able to be under 60, which is cool.”

It was the 52nd round in the 50s in professional golf around the world. The lowest on the PGA Tour is a 58 by Jim Furyk in the 2016 Travelers Championship. David Carey shot 57 in the first round of the Cervino Open in 2019 on the Alps Tour.

Niemann’s 59 overshadowed the debut of Masters champion Jon Rahm, who signed with LIV in December in the league’s biggest acquisition. Rahm opened with three birdies in four holes, but he had to settle for a 66.