Bryson DeChambeau leads the LIV Golf South Africa opener at The Club at Steyn City, learning the Afrikaans word ‘lekker’ and experiencing vibrant South African crowds while his team Crushers GC trails the local SA contingent. Picture: LIV Golf
Image: LIV Golf
Bryson DeChambeau may grab the headlines for leading on day one of LIV Golf South Africa, but one of his big lessons on Thursday at The Club at Steyn City was his first Afrikaans word.
The American major winner revealed that playing alongside South African Louis Oosthuizen, he heard the word ‘lekker’ a lot.
Though DeChambeau wasn’t quite sure of the meaning as he thought it meant something like ‘vamos’ - it will definitely be a word he remembered after he leaves South African shores.
DeChambeau leads the way alongside countryman Charles Howell III, and one stroke adrift on seven under were Branden Grace and Spain’s Sergio Garcia.
“Playing with Louis today, I kept hearing the word lekker. I think it means ‘vamos’ but don’t crucify me, I don’t know Afrikaans, the best I can understand is maybe a Southern [American] Accent and that’s about it,” said DeChambeau after his round.
Experiencing South African crowds for the first time, DeChambeau said it was a great experience.
“Just to everybody out there, this is what LIV was supposed to be and is and what it can be, not only here but in the States as well,” said DeChambeau after his round.
“I hope people can see the value in what we bring to the game of golf. It's pretty awesome to see what the full product of LIV is.”
While DeChambeau was on top of the individual leaderboard, his team Crushers GC were on 16 under, two off the pace set by the SA contingent of Grace, Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Dean Burmester.