Southern Guards GC leads, DeChambeau and Howell III tied at top after Rd. 1 at LIV Golf South Africa

JOHANNESBURG– It was a dream start for the home team in Round 1 of LIV Golf South Africa. Southern Guards GC set the early pace in front of an energetic South African crowd to race out to a score of 18 under, one shot ahead of Smash GC and two shots ahead of Crushers GC. 

The Southern Guards were led by Branden Grace, who shot a 7-under 64 with only one bogey on his scorecard. 

“It's amazing,” said Grace about playing in front of the home fans. “This is what we hoped for. They're coming out in the numbers. They're coming out to support the event. I feel South Africa has been hungry for a big golf event like this and this experience.”

RELATED: Where to Watch | Leaderboard 

Charl Schwartzel, who teed it up Thursday morning despite dealing with back spasms, rode the adrenaline provided by the home crowd to a 5-under 66. 

“I think that was one of the best experiences I've ever had on a golf course,” Schwartzel said. "I've played Presidents Cups, I've teed off in front of Presidents in New York, and that first tee gave me goosebumps. I almost had tears in my eyes. It was a really proud moment.”

Prior to tee off, Schwartzel was unsure that he could even play due to the injury.  

“It was close," he said. "I phoned Louis last night, and I said, I don't think I'm going to be able to play. Bad back started in Singapore on Sunday, and I thought I could get it better. Tuesday was better, Wednesday got real bad. I think I was out here 6 a.m. this morning, four hours before my tee time getting acupuncture and physio and warm baths and all sorts of things that I could try and do. I managed it, but I feel like it was all on adrenaline.”

Dean Burmester shot a 4-under 67 and captain Louis Oosthuizen shot a 2-under 69. 

Like Schwartzel, Burmester was extremely emotional on such an important day for both the Southern Guards and LIV Golf. 

“It's probably the pinnacle of my career, honestly,” said Burmester. "This is probably the greatest day I've had on the golf course, the most fun, the most backing I've ever had. I've played all over the world and I've never felt this kind of emotion and this electricity. Obviously, they're backing the Southern Guards boys, and all four of us I'm sure were getting shouted for all over the golf course. That lifted us up.

“I walked on to that first tee after the 18th shaking like a poisoned dog and shed a tear, really. Yes, it was emotional. It was amazing. That's about all I can say about it.” 

Added Oosthuizen: “I was a little lost for words on No. 1 when Charl teed off. I stood there and I had goosebumps. To see all these people here, I know what it took to bring this tournament here, and the fans were unbelievable.”

On the individual side, it was a pair of Crushers GC teammates Bryson DeChambeau and Charles Howell III that grabbed the early lead at 8 under. Howell shot a bogey-free 63 while DeChambeau’s included one bogey on the par-3 eighth. 

The Crushers captain remains in impeccable form after winning LIV Golf Singapore last week. 

“I'm playing really good,” DeChambeau said. “My driver just got a little quirky today. I still feel like I'm playing really good, swinging it well. Just going to go tighten it up a little bit. But yeah, for the most part I feel really comfortable with my game." 

Jon Rahm, in terrific form himself, fired a bogey-free 6-under 65 and is in striking distance of the leaders. 

Fireballs GC Captain Sergio Garcia shot a bogey-free 7-under 64 and is T3 alongside Grace. Talor Gooch carded a 6-under 65 and sits in a tie for fifth with Rahm. 

Ten players, including Cameron Smith, David Puig and Lee Westwood are 5 under in a tie for 7th.

Overall, Steyn City played extremely easy to a scoring average of –2.74 with 12 of the 18 holes playing under par.