Bryson DeChambeau beats Jon Rahm in play-off to win LIV Golf South Africa
Bryson DeChambeau defeated Jon Rahm on the first play-off hole to secure the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa title in Johannesburg after a challenging week off the course.
The American and the Spanish star both finished on 26 under par following 72 holes of regulation play.
However, the former major champion sealed his second consecutive victory on the breakaway tour with a decisive birdie on the first extra hole.
The triumph marks a fifth career LIV individual title for the tournament winner.
Emotional victory in Johannesburg
A visibly tearful DeChambeau later revealed he had been dealing with unspecified personal difficulties leading up to the event.
“A lot had happened in my life in the last week, I am so grateful for my team and everybody supporting me.”
The victorious captain added that the win had helped put his professional life into perspective.
“Golf is a fickle game, you work so hard at it your whole life and then you realise golf is just golf.”
Team success and future plans
Individual success was mirrored in the team competition as the Crushers secured a narrow one-shot victory.
A combined score of 76 under par saw the quartet of DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Charles Howell III and Anirban Lahiri edge out the Southern Guards.
More than 100,000 spectators were expected to attend the four-day event in the host city.
Following this successful debut, officials have already confirmed the tournament will return to the calendar between 22-25 April in 2027.
“South Africa was unbelievable, it has to be the best LIV Golf event we have ever had.”
The champion concluded by praising the phenomenal atmosphere during the tour’s first visit to the African continent.
