Locked in a tense battle at the top of the leaderboard after four rounds, DeChambeau held his nerve when it mattered most. The big-hitting American delivered clutch golf under immense pressure, edging the playoff to secure the title and cap off a week where his power and precision were on full display.

The two-time major winner finished on 26-under-par to force a playoff against former world number one Jon Rahm of Spain, representing Legion XIII.

 DeChambeau rose to the occasion when it counted, rolling in a birdie on the playoff hole while Rahm could only manage par.

Crushers GC won the team competition by edging the Southern Guards by a single stroke. Photo: LIV Golf

While DeChambeau celebrated individual honours, Crushers GC claimed the team title, edging the South African outfit, the Southern Guards, who had controlled much of the tournament. 

Crushers finished on 76-under-par, sneaking home by a single stroke to underline their growing reputation as one of the most formidable sides on the LIV circuit.

The home crowd, however, had plenty to cheer about thanks to a spirited showing from the Southern Guards. 

The all-South African lineup of Louis Oosthuizen, Dean Burmester, Branden Grace and Charl Schwartzel delivered a strong collective performance, staying in contention for most of the week and showcasing the depth of local talent on the global stage.

Branden Grace finished in a tie for third. Photo: Southern Guards

Leading the charge for the hosts were Branden Grace and Dean Burmester, both of whom produced standout performances. Grace’s consistency kept him firmly in the hunt throughout, while Burmester’s aggressive approach and ability to go low added excitement and momentum to the South African challenge.

Grace finished on 23-under-par in a share of third alongside Thomas Detry of 4Aces GC and Abraham Ancer of Torque GC. Burmester continued his fine form with a second successive top-10 finish, closing on 22-under-par for a share of sixth with David Puig of Fireballs GC. 

Oosthuizen ended in a tie for 17th on 16-under-par, while Schwartzel signed off at 14-under-par to share 24th place.

Dean Burmester finished in a tie for sixth for a second consecutive top ten finish. Photo: Southern Guards

Their efforts, along with the broader performance of the local contingent, ensured the galleries remained fully engaged from start to finish. Fans turned out in impressive numbers, creating a vibrant, festival-like atmosphere that lifted the event and provided a fitting backdrop for world-class golf.

In the end, LIV Golf South Africa delivered on all fronts – a dramatic individual finish, a hard-fought team victory for Crushers GC, and a proud showing from the South African players.

If this inaugural edition is anything to go by, the next instalment promises to be even bigger and better.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg