WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WV- Athletically, the Greenbrier has been busy lately.
The Cleveland Browns spent a week at the Resort for training camp two weeks ago, and this past weekend from Aug. 4-6, the hotel hosted the first LIV Golf Greenbrier tournament.
No one knew what kind of success the tournament would have, but it turned out to be extremely successful. On Friday in Round one, it was reported that the crowd of spectators arguably exceeded the PGA Tour at the Greenbrier by a wide margin. That is unofficial information, but the crowd was indeed large with the naked eye.
After the 3-day event, Bryson DeChambeau took home the crown after an impressive Saturday and Sunday, the latter where he shot a LIV-record, 58.
DeChambeau had to battle back in the last two days, but his play was so consistent beginning on Saturday that he basically cruised to the championship.
Breakdown by Round/Day:
Round one, Friday:
Matthew Wolff of team Smash GC led the tournament with a score of 61 (-9) which tied a LIV-record low at the time. David Puig of team Torque GC and LIV Golf’s youngest player at age 21, shot a 63 (-7) as did the Rangecoats GC’s Harold Varner III. Dean Burmester and Cameron Tringale each shot a 64.
Smash GC led the team standings after day one with a (-19). Torque GC, Stinger GC and Rangecoats GC all sat tied for second at (-15). The most notable name on the tour, Phil Mickelson plays for the Hyflyers and posted a 66, his best round score in his last five tournaments.
Fans headed to the Zac Brown Band concert that evening, another part of the event that received nothing but positive reviews.
Round 2, Saturday:
Hot temperatures, but beautiful skies greeted the golfers on Saturday for Round two.
Wolff followed up his 61 with a 67 that left him at 12-under through two days. Puig shot a 65 and he also stood at 12-under after 36 holes.
A trio of players, DeChambeau, Richard Bland, and Talor Gooch had good days and sat at 11-under after Round two. DeChambeau tied Wolff’s first round effort with a 61, his lowest score in any tournament so far, and had a bogey free round and converted three birdie attempts of 27-feet and longer, including a 47-footer on the 14th hole.
Torque GC (-34), Stinger GC (-30), Crushers GC (-26), Smash GC (-26), HyFlyers GC (-26), and Rangecoats GC (-26) sat atop the team standings after Saturday’s conclusion.
Round 3, Sunday:
Sunday’s championship round brought an early morning start due to the threat of inclement weather. The rain was expected to affect the field conditions slightly.
“It’ll probably be a little softer,” DeChambeau said Saturday evening.
Well, whatever it was, DeChambeau took advantage. He continued where he left off from Saturday and got off to a blistering start Sunday. Each hole he played, he became the storyline. On the 18th and final hole with steady rain falling, he secured his record, and his victory, with a 35-foot putt that he drilled, and he celebrated with a leap and both arms up in the air. With the victory, DeChambeau won the four-million-dollar payout that went to the individual winner. He finished with a total score of 187, and 23-under par.
Torque GC won the team competition, their fourth win of the season, led by Mito Pereira, who finished second individually. Sebastian Munoz and Puig are also on that team. DeChambeau’s led Crushers finished second.
“The greatest moment of my career,” DeChambeau said after his win.
Quotes courtesy of LIVGolf.com
