Southern Guards lead the way as inaugural LIV Golf South Africa at Steyn City likened to a Ryder Cup atmosphere
Updated 19/03/2026 at 15:42 GMT
Thoughts?
LIV Golf’s maiden visit to the continent of Africa was embraced by the local spectators at Steyn City, and Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Dean Bumester and Branden Grace gave them plenty to cheer as the Southern Guards GC quartet charged to the top of the team standings. Bryson DeChambeau followed up his win last week by leading the way in the individual standings.
Highlights: Southern Guards flying high on home soil
Video credit: TNT Sports
The home fans were given lots to cheer at LIV Golf South Africa as Southern Guards GC made a superb start at Steyn City.
On what is LIV Golf’s first visit to Africa, the home quartet of Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester and Branden Grace produced some dazzling golf to lead the way after the opening 18 holes.
It was only on the morning of the first round that Schwartzel declared himself fit to play after picking up a back injury.
For most of his round, the 2011 Masters champion looked in decent shape, but he clutched his back after his tee shot on 18 and again when going long with his approach. He was able to scramble for a closing par in a round of 66.
Schwartzel was ably backed up by Oosthuizen (69), Burmester (67) and Grace (64) as they charged to the top of the team standings at 18-under.
The team score was good enough for a one-shot lead over Smash GC, who were in front heading to the final holes, but Jason Kokrak made double-bogey after dumping his approach in the water.
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'Just got halfway across the lake' - Kokrak dumps shot in the water
Video credit: TNT Sports
”I think it was one of the best experiences I have had on a golf course,” Schwartzel said.
”I have played Presidents Cups, I teed off in front of Presidents in New York, and that first tee gave me goosebumps. I had tears in my eyes, it was a very proud moment.”
Asked for an update on his fitness, Schwartzel said: ”It was close. I phoned Lous last night and said I don’t think I will be able to play.
”The bad back started in Singapore on Sunday. Tuesday was better and Wednesday it got real bad.
”I managed, but I feel it was all on adrenaline. It was amazing just to play in front of everybody."
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'Not a good sign' Schwartzel clutches his injured back after going long with approach
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Bryson DeChambeau picked up where he left off with victory in Singapore, as a birdie on 18 took him to the top of the tree at eight-under.
It was a raucous atmosphere, and it left a positive impression on DeChambeau.
”This is what LIV is supposed to be,” DeChambeau, who hit one of the shots of the season so far on the 12th, said.
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”I hope people can see value in what we bring to the game of golf. It is pretty awesome to see.
”I played really good. I feel like I am swinging it well. For the most part I feel really comfortable with my game.”
DeChambeau’s Crushers GC team-mate Charles Howell III is alongside him at eight-under, while Sergio Garcia is well-placed at seven-under.
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What a result' - DeChambeau plays 'amazing' approach from the rough
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Jon Rahm is leading the way in the individual standings for the season, and the Spaniard looks likely to score heavily again this week after skipping around in 65 blows to sit in a share of fifth at six-under.
Lee Westwood led the way for Majesticks Golf Club at five-under, and he likened the atmosphere in Johannesburg to a Ryder Cup.
”It was an incredible atmosphere on the first tee,” Westwood told TNT Sports. ”It was kind of Ryder Cup volume. It was really loud.”
Westwood said conditions were a contrast to the previous week in Singapore.
”It was a little damp out there,” Westwood said. ”We had a helluva storm yesterday afternoon and the ball was not running very far. It slowed them [greens] down a little bit.
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'It's disappeared' - Wilson on 'scary' rough
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”They were a lot slower than last week in Singapore and that is a little bit of the adjustment I did not get. I did not get the ball running at the hole long enough.
”All in all, I am pretty happy with five-under. It is a good start to the tournament.”
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Watch the LIV Golf season, including round five in South Africa, live on TNT Sports.
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