Emotional DeChambeau claims LIV Golf SA title after play-off

LIV Golf SA title winner Bryson DeChambeau holds the trophy together with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

An emotional Bryson DeChambeau beat Jon Rahm on the first play-off hole to claim the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa title at Steyn City in Johannesburg on Sunday, claiming back-to-back victories on tour after winning in Singapore the previous week.

Both DeChambeau and Rahm finished on 26 under-pars over 72 holes, but the American claimed his fifth LIV Golf title on the first extra hole with a birdie.

A tearful DeChambeau revealed he has faced challenges off the course this week without elaborating.

“A lot had happened in my life in the last week, I am so grateful for my team and everybody supporting me,” he said.

“Golf is a fickle game, you work so hard at it your whole life and then you realise golf is just golf.”

DeChambeau’s quartet, the Crushers, which also includes Paul Casey, Charles Howell III and Anirban Lahiri, won the team event as they beat South Africa’s Southern Guards by a single shot with 76 under-par.

Officials on Sunday announced the event in South Africa would be staged again in 2027, though with revised dates of April 22-25.

“South Africa was unbelievable, it has to be the best LIV Golf event we have ever had,” DeChambeau said.

More than 100 000 spectators were expected over the four days in Johannesburg.

IN PICTURES | President Cyril Ramaphosa attends South Africa’s LIV Golf 2026 Tournament.

The LIV Golf League is a revolutionary professional golf format that complements traditional golf while bringing new levels of excitement and engagement to fans and players alike.
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— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 22, 2026

The tournament showcased South Africa to a global audience of an estimated 1 billion households in over 200 countries. pic.twitter.com/n0JTxZ2twT

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