Bryson DeChambeau is the solo leader after 36 holes for a record-setting third consecutive LIV Golf tournament.
The drama on Sunday now focuses on whether he will convert his latest opportunity into a victory.
The Crushers GC captain shot his second consecutive bogey-free round at LIV Golf Korea, carding a second-round six-under 66 for a 13-under total and a four-shot lead over Cleeks GC’s Richard Bland.
It’s the fifth 36-hole lead that DeChambeau has held since joining LIV Golf and is also his largest advantage. But DeChambeau has yet to capitalise on any of those leads, including the two previous LIV Golf tournaments.
Last month in Miami, he led by two shots entering the final round but was overtaken by Ripper GC’s Marc Leishman. Last week in Mexico City, he led by one before Joaquin Niemann rallied on Sunday. DeChambeau’s two LIV Golf wins in 2023 came when having to play catch-up to start the final round.
Asked what he must do Sunday at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea to close out a tournament that’s clearly within his grasp, DeChambeau replied: “Just be a kid out there. Have a lot of fun. Go back to my roots. Just get it done.”
Smash GC also would like to get it done Sunday for their first team win of the season. Although 18-hole co-leader Talor Gooch fell back after a 71 on Saturday, his teammates picked him up. Jason Kokrak joined Gooch in a tie for third after shooting a 67, while Graeme McDowell shot 69 and captain Brooks Koepka 70.
The team’s 11-under total moved them to 21 under for the first two rounds, six shots clear of the three teams tied for second – Torque GC, RangeGoats GC and DeChambeau’s Crushers.
“Along with myself, I don’t think BK, Graeme or Gooch have gotten off to a very good start [to the 2025 season] at all team-wise, individual-wise, kind of collectively,” Kokrak said. “So, looking to turn that around tomorrow.”
Bryson DeChambeau has made 13 birdies and no bogeys to lead LIV Golf Korea by 4 shots after rounds of 65 and 66. He’ll head into the final round in the final group for the 4th event in a row.
Can he close it out tomorrow?@Crushers_GC @brysondech
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) May 3, 2025
DeChambeau has been flawless the first two days in Korea, particularly off the tee with an impressive combination of power and accuracy. He leads the field with a 342.2-yard driving distance average and is tied for fourth in driving accuracy, hitting 25 of 28 fairways.
Among his playing partners Sunday is the 52-year-old Bland, creating a unique final group that includes the reigning US Open and US Senior Open champions. Bland can’t match DeChambeau’s length and knows that a four-shot deficit will be difficult to overcome.
“This kind of course is tailor-made for him,” Bland said of DeChambeau. “I’ve probably got to shoot something in double digits to get anywhere near him.”
Stinger GC’s Dean Burmester is among those tied for third, four shots behind DeChambeau. Burmester has an ace and three other hole-outs this week but was disappointed that a late bogey cost him a chance to be in the final group.
Dean Burmester just made an ace at LIV Golf Korea. That rolled in like a putt ? ??
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) May 2, 2025
Asked what it would take to catch DeChambeau, Burmester replied: “Drive it past him, see if I can get into his head.” Then he added: “Just kidding.”
Burmester’s Stinger GC sit fifth on the leaderboard following his teammates Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, John Catlin who all fired rounds of 68, 71, and 75 respectively.
It’s now down to serious business in Korea, particularly for DeChambeau. Besides his recent LIV Golf near-misses, he also led last month’s Masters with 16 holes to play before falling back. That recent string gives him plenty of motivation to hoist a trophy – or two with his team – on Sunday.
“Given that we’re a global team, it would be awesome to win here in Korea,” DeChambeau said. “The fans are great. I think the Korean fans like the Crushers. I know they like the Iron Heads a little bit more.
“Hopefully we’re a close second, and hopefully we can give them some fun for tomorrow.”
Photo: Pedro Salado/LIV Golf
