Bryson DeChambeau (pictiured) thrilled LIV Golf SA fans with a scintillating 65, taking a two-shot halfway lead at 14 under, while Branden Grace, Jon Rahm, and Dean Burmester kept the gallery roaring with memorable shots and crowd-pleasing moments as they remained in the hunt. Picture: LIV Golf
Image: LIV Golf
He may not be from the Rainbow Nation, but American Bryson DeChambeau certainly is a crowd favourite at LIV South Africa, and he did not disappoint as he produced another impressive display with a 65 to lead on 14 under after round two on Friday.
“I felt like I was holding on for dear life at times. Held strong, thought it could have been a nine, 10 under round today, but that’s golf,” said DeChambeau after his round.
“I was feeling really good. It was an up-and-down round, but really proud of the way I played.”
DeChambeau leads by two shots from David Puig (65) and Branden Grace (66) on 12 under.
Grace said it was another memorable day on the course: “This is what dreams are made of. It’s been phenomenal. Every tee box and green gets loud applause.
“The only thing close to this for me is the Presidents Cup, but I think this is a notch above.”
In the share of fourth on 11 under were a host of players, including Jon Rahm (66) and Dean Burmester (64).
The big-hitter DeChambeau once again showed his prodigious length off the tee, but it was some short game magic that got the crowd going early doors.
DeChambeau began his round in scintillating fashion by chipping in for eagle on the drivable par four first, with the ball pitching straight in the hole from a precarious position just below the green. He would follow that up with a birdie at the next to surge to 13 under and a three-shot lead in a flash.
A five-under opening nine would be the result, despite a bogey at the tricky par three sixth.
Though he birdied the par five 10th, as expected, a scrappy double bogey at the par four 12th slowed his momentum.
Coming down the stretch, he pulled a shot back with a birdie at the par three 16th and after hitting the par five 18th in two after a massive drive, an easy two-putt ensured a closing birdie.
The team competition may not be the main event at LIV Golf South Africa, but it certainly felt like that for Southern Guards GC (SGGC) as they were out to a three-shot lead early on day two at The Club at Steyn City on Friday.
However, by the end of the round they had fallen behind as Torque GC led the way on 36 under, with SGGC two adrift.
With the SA quartet of Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Grace, and Burmester all combined to keep their side near the top while DeChambeau made the headlines in the individual competition.
The team competition combines all four players’ scores, so every shot counts.
While Oosthuizen continued to shine with the putter, Burmester proved the biggest showman in front of the huge galleries.
Ever the exhibitionist, Burmester donned a Bafana Bafana jersey for the Lion’s Den 17th hole par three, and promptly stuck his tee shot starlight over the flag to within a couple of feet of the hole. The 36-year-old even began celebrating before his ball landed on the putting surface.
“That's top 3 highlights of my career, I think. Especially after hitting a shot like that after all of that is awesome,” said Burmester after his round.
As for wearing the Bafana jersey, Burmester said: “It's a football Friday. We got the World Cup soccer coming up and we’ve got to support Bafana Bafana and I thought that would be a pretty cool tribute.”
Another flash of brilliance from Burmester came from the rough on the par five fourth, where his long iron approach was muscled out of the kikuyu which pitched within a foot of the hole.