DeChambeau and Crushers GC team win titles, making history at LIV Golf South Africa

Bryson DeChambeau and his Crushers Golf Club team won the individual and team double in a thrilling finish at the end of a landmark week at LIV Golf South Africa held at Steyn City, South Africa.

DeChambeau beat Jon Rahm in a sudden-death play-off, and Crushers Golf Club (DeChambeau, Charles Howell III, Dubai-based Anirban Lahiri and Paul Casey) broke the hearts of local favourites Southern Guards (Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester) by just one shot over 72-holes.

In this first year of LIV Golf South Africa, over 100,000 passionate fans attended to exceed all expectations of the tournament organisers.

‘Just got to say I love everybody. Thank you for supporting,’ DeChambeau said. ‘South Africa was unbelievable. I mean, it has got to be the best LIV event we’ve ever had.’ The country and the league plan to build on that momentum as the League announced a return to Steyn City in 2027, with the dates set for April 22nd – 25th.

The success of the tournament should help to soothe any disappointment felt by Oosthuizen and his Southern Guards, who seemed poised to win the team title thanks to quick starts by Burmester, who birdied his first four holes, and Grace, who birdied three of his first four. As the midpoint of the final round approached, the Southern Guards led by nine strokes.

But as the South Africans seemed to stall late on with their birdie barrage, DeChambeau and his Crushers heated up. Anirban Lahiri posted his second consecutive 8-under 63, tying for the low round of the day, while Charles Howell III and Paul Casey each played their final 12 holes in a bogey-free 4 under.

When Lahiri ended his round with a birdie, and Casey birdied his last two holes, the Crushers took the lead. Schwartzel, who battled back issues all week, provided a last-gasp birdie, but it wasn’t enough. The Southern Guards finished at 75 under – on any previous LIV Golf tournament, it would’ve been the winning score, while the Crushers won with a record 76 under.

“Obviously disappointed finishing second, but this was the reason, all these people here, that we tried to get it here,” Oosthuizen said. “I think we’re very proud of what we achieved by getting the tournament here. All in all, it’s a week I’ll never forget.”

Grace, who tied for third at 23 under, was in the final group with DeChambeau and realised down the stretch that he could force a potential team playoff by playing one stroke better than the Crushers captain.

But rainy conditions in the final few holes made it difficult to play catch-up. DeChambeau saved par on the par-5 18th after an errant tee shot, while Grace couldn’t convert the lengthy birdie attempt from 27 feet to tie.

“I knew the last couple of holes it was kind of like between Bryson and me, and he just at the end of the day made one better up-and-down than I did,” Grace said. “What a phenomenal up-and-down he made on 18. Listen, it’s one of the best weeks of my life, in my golfing career, and to be able to spend it with three of my best mates is phenomenal.”

As for DeChambeau, he returned to the 18th to face off against Rahm, who produced a spectacular 8-under 63 to force a playoff at 26 under after starting the day three strokes behind. DeChambeau once again hit his drive left into the mud, but after receiving relief, he used a spectacular 3-wood from 295 yards to set up an eagle putt from 12 feet.

Rahm, meanwhile, found the bunker with his second shot and blasted out to 15 feet for his birdie attempt. He missed the putt, allowing DeChambeau to two-putt for birdie for his fifth LIV Golf individual win, tying him for second-most in league history.

“It’s been a tough few weeks,’ said DeChambeau, sitting among his three Crushers teammates in the post-round press conference. ‘It’s not always sunshine and rainbows. But I can tell you that having these three great people up here and my caddie and the team around me really helped me persevere on through tough moments.”

Final Leaderboards – Individual Top 10

1. Bryson DeChambeau, Crushers – 26 under par (63‑65‑64‑66) won playoff on first extra hole

2. Jon Rahm, Legion XIII – 26 under par (65‑66‑64‑63)
   T3. Branden Grace, Southern Guards – 23 under par (64‑66‑64‑67)
   T3. Thomas Detry, 4Aces – 23 under par (66‑67‑63‑65)
   T3. Abraham Ancer, Torque – 23 under par (66‑65‑64‑67)
   T6. Dean Burmester, Southern Guards – 22 under par (67‑64‑65‑66)
   T6. David Puig, Fireballs – 22 under par (66‑64‑66‑66)

3. Carlos Ortiz, Torque – 21 under par (67‑65‑65‑66)
   T9. Anirban Lahiri, Crushers – 20 under par (69‑69‑63‑63)
   T9. Charles Howell III, Crushers – 20 under par (63‑68‑66‑67)

Final Leaderboards – Team Top 3

1. Crushers GC – 76 under par

   • Bryson DeChambeau: 63‑65‑64‑66

   • Charles Howell III: 63‑68‑66‑67

   • Anirban Lahiri: 69‑69‑63‑63

   • Casey: 73‑67‑67‑67

   • Round 4 team score: ‑21

2. Southern Guards GC – 75 under par

   • Branden Grace: 64‑66‑64‑67

   • Dean Burmester: 67‑64‑65‑66

   • Ernie Els: 69‑68‑64‑67 (if Oosthuizen is meant, keep as he played)

   • Charl Schwartzel: 66‑70‑65‑69

   • Round 4 team score: ‑15

3. Torque GC – 72 under par

   • Abraham Ancer: 66‑65‑64‑66

   • Carlos Ortiz: 67‑65‑65‑66

   • Niemann: 67‑65‑67‑68

   • Muñoz: 70‑67‑66‑70

   • Round 4 team score: ‑14

Source: Khaleej Times