Bryson DeChambeau 'absolutely hated' winning LIV Golf Singapore play-off after shock Richard T. Lee error
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Published 15/03/2026 at 10:54 GMT
It was not the way Bryson DeChambeau wanted to win his first LIV Golf tournament of the season, but Richard T. Lee's shock miss in the individual play-off handed him the victory. Amid torrential conditions at LIV Golf Singapore, the American shot 66 to match his Canadian rival and send the four-day event into overtime. But it was a "brutal" end for wildcard Lee, who had a chance to make history.
Watch: DRAMA as Lee fluffs two-footer in play-off to hand DeChambeau victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Bryson DeChambeau must have thought his chances of winning his first LIV Golf event of the season were over when his play-off tee shot plopped into hole 18's lateral lake.
But no one could have predicted that Richard T. Lee, with the chance to become the first wildcard to win a LIV Golf tournament, would lip-out a simple two-footer for par and hand victory to the American.
'The Scientist' immediately went over to console the Canadian, who he called "a superstar".
"I absolutely hated it. For Richard, he's been playing some unbelievable golf. He's beat me in a few of the rounds I've played with him, and he's a stellar player," DeChambeau told LIV Golf.
"I wanted to go another hole with him. As much as winning is great, I have a lot of respect for Richard and the way he golfs his ball up there, and it was quite impressive.
"I was coming down the last three holes and I think I'm one ahead of everybody and seeing Richard go and play the way he did finishing out, he's a real superstar and the league should be really proud to have him on as a wildcard."
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DeChambeau devastated for Lee after wildcard loses play-off via 'brutal' lip-out
Video credit: TNT Sports
Lee had sunk four birdies in the last six holes to pile the pressure on DeChambeau, who himself managed a birdie on 18 as a final downpour began to swell.
Round Four had to be paused for 78 minutes at midday due to the torrential conditions and eased off as both Lee Westwood and Joaquin Niemann - leaders after Round Three - eventually fell away.
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The rain reached a crescendo for the start of the individual play-off and the American immediately regretted his bold tee shot that crept into the water hazard.
"You've got to have patience out there y'all. That was crazy. That water was just pumping onto the golf ball and I tried to draw down there, and the wind and the water just made it go way off line," DeChambeau told TNT Sports.
"I couldn't do anything about that. It was pretty close, but it wasn't struck as good as it could have been. Difficult, brutal, brutal."
His Canadian rival found the relative safety of the bunker and, knowing DeChambeau needed perfection to make par, opted for a defensive lay-up.
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DeChambeau holes out for eagle with exquisite bunker shot
Video credit: TNT Sports
Perfection was indeed achieved by 'The Bison' thanks to a monster 300-yard three wood, though Lee, with the rain now easing, could still render his efforts fruitless. But the wildcard missed a tricky putt for birdie and the win, and it looked for all the world like the play-off was set for a second hole.
Then disaster struck and DeChambeau was left stunned with his hands on his head when Lee fluffed a straightforward two-footer to concede the victory.
"I feel so bad for Richard. I wanted to go play another hole with him in some fairer conditions for both of us," reflected DeChambeau.
"Sport is brutal. You never want to see someone like that, that has a two-and-a-half foot putt, pretty simple... And he's such a good player, putter, and we're so lucky to have him here at LIV Golf. He'll be battling it out quite a bit more."
'Adrenaline' caused error - Lee
Lee was on course for the biggest win of his career, having qualified for the 2026 LIV Golf season via a sensational five-stroke victory in January's promotions event.
The 35-year-old still walked away with a mammoth $2,250,000 pay cheque, but his shot at history was foiled at the last.
Having passed up the opportunity to usurp DeChambeau with a play-off birdie, the adrenaline was pumping and conspired to disrupt his concentration.
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Lee makes history by claiming LIV Golf place, Kim makes comeback
Video credit: SNTV
But the Canadian's potential is finally being realised and Lee is confident that he can become the first wildcard to win a four-day slog before the season is out.
"I mean, there are some slick putts out there, there are some little lies out there. It's a short putt and I wanted to just hit it hard, and I hit it a little too hard," said Lee.
"I think the adrenaline was pumping a little bit. But then again, I feel like I had it this week. I played really well and hopefully next week I can try again.
"I think the last three, four years... I mean, ever since I changed that putter to a mallet putter, my putting stats got better, and I think I built a lot more confidence out there."
Watch and stream the LIV Golf season live on TNT Sports.
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