In between swarms of rowdy fans wanting autographs, Bryson DeChambeau has managed to card two stellar rounds to enter the weekend with the solo lead at LIV Golf South Africa.
DeChambeau shot 6-under 65 in the second round Friday at The Club at Steyn City in Midrand, South Africa, to follow up his 63 on Thursday. His second round started with an eagle at No. 1, followed by birdies on three of his next four holes. A double bogey at the par-4 12th prevented him from really pulling away from the pack, but he still holds a two-shot lead.
Bryson DeChambeau walks to the 17th tee at LIV Golf South Africa at The Club at Steyn City on March 20, 2026 in Johannesburg.
“Felt like it could’ve been a 9-, 10-under round today the way it started … just kind of was an up-and-down round today, but overall really proud of the way I finished, and two more days of golf,” DeChambeau said. “A lot of golf left.”
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DeChambeau is seeking his second win in as many weeks after emerging victorious at LIV Golf Singapore on Sunday. And he’s doing it to the tune of massive fanfare, as the raucous South African crowd has seemingly come out in droves to take in the event.
“What an environment,” DeChambeau said after the first round. “I’m quite impressed with the environment here and the people and the love that we felt today. It really energizes all of us players and makes us want to give back more. It’s awesome.”
But even though DeChambeau is getting his fair share of support, the South African crowd is certainly pulling for its hometown players. Southern Guards GC, made up of four South African pros, is second on the team leaderboard after two rounds. Branden Grace is spearheading their efforts, as he’ll enter the weekend tied for second with David Puig at 12 under.
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But it was Dean Burmester who turned in the best round of the day for the Southern Guards, carding a bogey-free 64 to move into a four-way tie for fourth at 11 under. Burmester said Thursday that playing in front of a home crowd was the pinnacle of his career.
Perhaps Burmester spoke too soon, though, because on Friday, he hit a highlight-reel shot to send the crowd into a frenzy at the par-3 17th, which LIV Golf has dubbed “The Lion’s Den” — a stadium-like party atmosphere similar to that of the 16th at TPC Scottsdale — complete with pyrotechnics and all.
Southern Guards GC enters the third round one shot off the lead in the team race after Torque GC went 22 under on Friday. Abraham Ancer (T-4), Joaquin Niemann (T-8) and Carlos Ortiz (T-8) each shot 65 while Sebastian Munoz turned in a 68.
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Jon Rahm is also part of that four-way tie for fourth. He has yet to make a bogey through 36 holes at Steyn City, carding rounds of 65 and 66 over the first two days. Rahm has placed inside the top five in every event in 2026 thus far, including a win at LIV Golf Hong Kong. With the Masters now less than three weeks away, it’s apparent that both Rahm and DeChambeau’s games are rounding into form.
Speaking of the Masters, Phil Mickelson is making his first start of the season at LIV Golf South Africa after missing the first four events. The 55-year-old six-time major champion bounced back from a 4-over 75 in the opening round by carding a 67 on Friday to get back to even par.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: DeChambeau leads LIV Golf South Africa
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