Bryson DeChambeau sank a birdie on the par-5, 18th hole on Friday to open up a two-shot lead following the second round of LIV Golf South Africa.
DeChambeau, the two-time U.S. Open champion and winner of last week’s LIV Singapore event, carded an eagle and seven birdies but also had a double bogey on the par-4 12th. He finished 6-under-par 65 on Friday for a tournament total of 14 under-par.
David Puig (64 on Friday) and home favorite Brandon Grace (66) sit two shots behind the lead, with Spain’s Jon Rahm (66), South African Dean Burmester (64), Abraham Ancer (65) and Charles Howell III (68) sitting tied at fourth.
Grace notched six birdies in front of his home crowd at Johannesburg’s Steyn City, including one at the 17th hole known as The Lion’s Den, an area that showcases the enthusiasm of the crowds and the unique nature of LIV tournaments.
Players can choose a signature song to play as they walk through an L-shaped tunnel in the stands to enter the 17th hole. The hospitality area features fan games, live MCs and a DJ, creating “a dynamic mix of music, culture, and crowd energy that takes over as the sun goes down,” according to LIV Golf.
The Lion’s Den brought mixed emotions from players.
“That’s actually one of the holes I feel most nervous on,” Grace told reporters after the second round. “I know it’s only a wedge and things, but when you walk through there, you know, OK, you’ve arrived. When you go through and the smoke is going everywhere, OK, I have to step up, put your big boy pants on and hit a golf shot.”
DeChambeau didn’t seem to notice Grace’s nerves in the Lion’s Den, as the South African stuck it to three feet and tapped in a birdie.
“It was an unbelievable shot and a great birdie,” DeChambeau said, who fist-bumped Grace after the shot. “That was just a cool moment in the Lion’s Den, being able to hit a good shot like that and make the putt easily. There’s respect there. It’s not trying to do anything. It’s just me being authentic and saying, good shot, great putt.”
The hometown favorites Southern Guards (34 under-par) were knocked down a bit from Thursday’s high, when they led the team competition. The South African quartet of Louis Oosthuizen, Burmester, Grace and Charl Schwartzel were bumped down by Torque, who have a combined score of 36 under-par after two rounds.
Still, the team dip couldn’t dampen the spirits of the native South Africans, who were feeling the love from the raucous hometown crowd and returning it.
“I think events like this, like I said, this is such a close event to the heart for all of us Southern Guards guys. We’ve dreamt of bringing a tournament to South Africa. We’ve dreamt this is what it would be like,” Grace said.
“Goosebumps the whole day throughout the round, numerous times … It was phenomenal. Like I said, the closest thing to this that I’ve experienced is a Presidents Cup, and in my opinion, this has topped it. It’s really been unbelievable and the best experience for me today.”
DeChambeau also appreciated the opportunity to bring the sport to a new in-person audience.
“The ultimate goal is to inspire — being able to hit a tee shot and a kid go, oh, my gosh, it’s so cool, and then being able to sign an autograph and give a high five as I walk up to another tee box, that’s what makes me feel good in playing golf,” DeChambeau said.
There will be plenty of opportunities for similar interactions in the last two rounds of the tournament, as LIV Golf announced Friday that tickets officially are sold out for the weekend.
–Field Level Media
