Bryson DeChambeau isn’t taking his foot off the accelerator and remains the sole leader of the LIV Golf in South Africa after the third round, with a total of 21 under par and two shots clear of his nearest pursuer. The American carded a 65 (-7) without a mistake on the thrilling Steyn City course and heads into the final day with confidence… and a clear message.
“I’m going to play the same way I have all week. I’m going to focus on myself. I know it sounds like a cliché, but the more I focus on myself, the better I tend to play,” he said after his round, making clear he doesn’t intend to change his plan despite the pressure.
DeChambeau once again showcased his main weapon, the driver. In fact, he wasn’t even sure if he missed any fairways. “I don’t think I missed any with the driver today. I’d have to check, but I struck it very well off the tee and I’m proud of how I played from there,” he said.
His dominance off the tee was reflected in spectacular shots such as the one on the 10th hole, where he again made a difference. “It was a great drive. I felt very comfortable, I hit a great wedge after it and holed a great putt. I felt like I was on a roll,” he recounted.
The course, short because of the altitude and offering several aggressive options, suits his style perfectly. “I like holes that require a driver, they’re great fun. They offer many options, sometimes even chaos, but also eagle opportunities like the ones I made today and yesterday,” he explained. “Being able to hit it 350 or 360 yards and then play a 190-yard wedge is great fun.”
Even so, DeChambeau isn’t complacent. He knows the battle will be tough, especially with players like Jon Rahm or Branden Grace, buoyed by the local crowd. “Tomorrow is going to be a big day. Grace is playing incredible golf and has massive support. I like feeding off that energy,” he said, even recalling past experiences on big stages: “I like that atmosphere, that ‘hype’. It’s fun to compete like that.”
The leader also made it clear that, beyond the result, the show is guaranteed. “This is a competitive sport, but it’s also entertaining. There will be an electric atmosphere and we’re going to try to put on a great show.” All told, his focus is clear heading into the finale: isolate himself from the noise and execute. “I want to get into my bubble and execute the best shots possible,” he noted, with his sights also on Augusta.
DeChambeau also didn’t hide his ambition to secure another consecutive win: “I hope so. It would be fantastic to win two in a row”. The American heads into Sunday full of momentum, with his long game dialled in and the conviction that the title depends on maintaining his form. South Africa already has a leader… and a finish that promises maximum tension.
