As the final putt dropped, DeChambeau, who shot a 5-under 66, was overcome with emotion, fully absorbing the magnitude of the moment.
“I’ve just got to say I love everybody,” DeChambeau said with tears in his eyes. “Thank you for supporting. South Africa was unbelievable. I mean, got to be the best LIV event we’ve ever had.”
Although Rahm fell just short of his second victory in three weeks, his 8-under 63 to force a playoff was tied for the round of the day and proof of his impeccable form heading into major championship season.
On the team leaderboard, Southern Guards GC was unable to convert a nine-shot front-nine lead into a victory on home soil. DeChambeau’s Crushers GC rallied to edge out the South African squad by one shot after shooting a combined 21 under on the day. The Crushers were led by Anirban Lahiri, who fired a clutch 8-under 63, which was tied with Rahm for the low round of the day. Paul Casey and Charles Howell III each shot 4-under 67s.
The win for the Crushers was their ninth regular season victory, giving them the edge over Legion XIII as the winningest team in LIV Golf history.