Bryson DeChambeau has given himself an immediate opportunity to secure redemption following The Masters, with the Crushers captain leading LIV Golf Mexico City ahead of the final round.
Of course, Bryson DeChambeau must have some nerves heading into the first LIV Golf event following The Masters. DeChambeau took the lead early on on Sunday at Augusta National before his challenge came to an end shortly after the turn.
He has a golden chance to win his first LIV event since 2023 at LIV Golf Mexico City, with the 31-year-old one shot clear of Cameron Smith. DeChambeau followed his opening round of 63 with a five under par round on Saturday.
Smith matched him in the second round. Meanwhile, Joaquin Niemann is very much in the mix to win his third event of the year, with the Chilean three off the lead.
Pat Perez predicts the winner of LIV Golf Mexico City as Bryson DeChambeau leads Cam Smith by one
Elsewhere, Jon Rahm is one further back. Of those in the top 10, only Bubba Watson had a worse day than the Spaniard.
And speaking on LIV Golf’s Post-Round Show, Pat Perez explained what had really worked for DeChambeau over the first two days, before he named his favourite to win the event on Sunday.
“He’s got that driver, he’s really got that driver going. He hits it long, there’s no reason not to hit it where he’s hitting it. On 15, he hit it in the most narrow part, had just a little L wedge in. If you can hit a driver that far and that straight, there’s no reason not to hit it. For him to back down tomorrow would be insane. I asked him in his interview, he said he’s going to continue the same. But again, you’ve got a guy like Cam who also hits it long, not anywhere near him, but he’s more of a position player, but he just played phenomenally today. So I’m excited for the last group tomorrow,” he said.
“I think Bryson’s probably in the driver’s seat, just the way he hits that driver. He’s chipping on half the holes. He’s driving a couple of them. But I expect a big day out of Rahm. Rahm didn’t have his best stuff today, but he’s driving it great. His wedges are off, his wedges aren’t doing very well and he’s airmailed two greens by 30 yards. He’s got to clean that up a little bit. I expect Bryson to pull it in, he had a disaster at Augusta, but I don’t think it’s going to happen tomorrow.”
Cam Smith makes comment after his second round which should leave Bryson DeChambeau with plenty to ponder
Should DeChambeau fail to win on Sunday, a few doubts may creep in. Rory McIlroy did absolutely everything he could to ensure that he did not win the green jacket this month. And yet, DeChambeau was not there to take advantage.
And one comment Smith made following his second round may seem slightly ominous for DeChambeau, as the Australian was asked what he needs to do to put himself in the position to win.
“Yeah, I don’t think I really need to do anything different, to be honest. I just need to go out there and do much more of the same stuff. I feel like I’m hitting my irons and my wedges as good as I have for a long time. I’ve been giving myself lots of close kind of birdie opportunities,” he said.
“Yeah, much more of the same tomorrow. Hopefully a couple more putts drop, and we’ll see what happens.”
Given Smith’s quality on the greens, DeChambeau is surely going to have to bring his very best if the 2022 Open champion’s putter does get hot over the final 18 holes.
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