The Crushers GC staged a remarkable comeback in the rain to deny the Southern Guards the team title at the first-ever LIV Golf event in South Africa.
When it rains it pours … there was neither the fairytale individual win for Dean Burmester or Branden Grace and the team title was also ripped from their grasps late on Sunday.
Torrential rain made for brilliant viewing. It made for difficult playing conditions. And it also played its part in ending the dream run for the Southern Guards.
The crowds were not moved from their vantage points but saw very few putts drop for their favourite local stars in the last few holes of what was a sensational tournament.
Instead, it was some great par saves from Bryson DeChambeau and some superb birdies from Anibarn Lahiri, Paul Casey and Charles Howell III.
Grace and Burmester started like lightening … with the latter four under through four. It saw both South Africans join DeChambeau at the top of the standings.
It moved the Southern Guards well clear with some calling it a run race as the home side moved nine shots clear. Then it all changed.
DeChambeau started to make some putts, the birdies dried up and then the rain came.
As the putts continued to avoid the hole for the South Africans, they seemingly all started to drop for the Crushers. On repeat.
The gap was closing by the minute before Lahiri started to find his form.
The final two holes saw Crushers move one clear and when DeChambeau survived with pars on 16 and 18, it left Grace as the lone hope for the Southern Guards. His wedge into the 72nd hole was a few yards short leaving him with a lengthy birdie try.
As the chorus of the national anthem rang out, he composed himself and then just missed the putt to allow DeChambeau and his team the win as the captain went into a playoff with Jon Rahm.
The rain didn’t dampen matters but it certainly left one with out on the course … revenge for next year when the league returns for the second playing of LIV Golf South Africa.
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Article Link: Southern Guards crushed by Bryson and Co.