Heartbreak for local favourites as Crushers stage remarkable comeback
A single stroke was all that separated triumph from heartbreak as South Africa's Southern Guard team fell agonisingly short in the team competition at the LIV Golf tournament held at Steyn City in Midrand on Sunday afternoon.
The home side, comprising captain Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Dean Burmester and Charl Schwartzel, posted an impressive combined score of 75 under par after carding 15 under in the final round. Yet it was not enough, as the Crushers — who had trailed by as many as seven shots during the closing round — mounted a stunning comeback to finish on 76 under par and claim top spot. Torque rounded out the top three on 72 under.
For the thousands of South African fans who packed the course hoping to witness a home victory, the result was undeniably painful. However, the runners-up walked away with a consolation purse of $1.5 million (approximately R25.6 million), while the victorious Crushers — Bryson DeChambeau, Charles Howell III, Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri — collected $3 million (roughly R51.2 million).
DeChambeau claims seventh LIV title in playoff thriller
The individual competition delivered equally riveting drama, with American powerhouse DeChambeau securing his seventh LIV Golf title after defeating Spain's Jon Rahm on the first playoff hole. The pair had been locked together on 26 under par at the conclusion of regulation play, forcing a sudden-death decider on the fifth hole. Rahm's approach found the greenside bunker, while DeChambeau landed his effort on the putting surface roughly five yards from the pin, sealing yet another victory.
"I worked so hard... and I'm very grateful to my team. The South African spectators were also amazing," DeChambeau said emotionally after his triumph.
DeChambeau, who had also claimed the individual crown in Singapore the previous week, proved enormously popular with the Midrand galleries. Fans regularly spurred him on with chants of "USA, USA" throughout the weekend's action.
Grace and Belgian Thomas Detry shared third place alongside Mexico's Abraham Ancer, each finishing on 23 under par. Burmester was tied for sixth on 22 under alongside Spain's David Puig, while Oosthuizen (18 under) and Schwartzel (14 under) also delivered solid performances for the home contingent.
The prize money on offer underscored the staggering financial rewards in professional golf's most lucrative series. DeChambeau pocketed $4 million (about R68.5 million) for his individual victory, with Rahm earning $2.25 million (R38.5 million) as runner-up. Grace took home $1.1 million (approximately R18.8 million), while Burmester collected $650 000 (R11.1 million) for his efforts.
South Africa's growing reputation as a host of major international sporting events receives a significant boost from the LIV Golf tournament at Steyn City, drawing thousands of fans and injecting substantial foreign currency into the local economy through prize money, tourism, and hospitality spending. The strong performances by Oosthuizen, Grace, Burmester, and Schwartzel highlight the depth of local golfing talent, potentially inspiring future generations and attracting further high-profile events to the country in coming years.
