"Young Blood Transfusion" LIV Golf Round 2... 'Hulk' DeChambeau's Declaration of Entry

LIV Golf Invitational Series Round 2 Lands on US Mainland, Ortiz Leads First Day at 5 Under, Johnson 1 Stroke Behind in 2nd Place

'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau is stepping into the spotlight by participating in the second LIV Golf event.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyunjun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "A transfusion of young blood."

'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau has finally appeared in LIV Golf. On the first day of the second event of the LIV Golf Invitational Series (total prize money $25 million), held at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club (par 72) in Portland, Oregon, USA, on the 1st (Korean time), he posted an even par and tied for 14th place. 'Major man' Brooks Koepka, 'Twist Swing' Matthew Wolff (both from the USA), and the 'Mexico one-two punch' Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz have also joined LIV Golf.

LIV Golf, sponsored by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), held its opening event last month on the 12th at Centurion Golf Club in London, England, where Charl Schwartzel became the inaugural champion. Schwartzel, along with Louis Oosthuizen, Brandon Grace, and Hennie du Plessis (all from South Africa), also won the team event, earning a total of $4.75 million (6.1 billion KRW) in one go. This time, the event carries special significance as it landed on the US mainland. Indeed, many established players such as DeChambeau, Koepka, and Wolff have joined.

DeChambeau is especially the biggest drawcard rumored to have joined LIV Golf for a staggering $135 million (1.74 trillion KRW). With 8 PGA Tour wins including the 2020 major US Open, he is notably one of the PGA Tour's representative long hitters. In 2019, he bulked up by gaining 18 kg, which boosted his average driving distance from 302.5 yards (ranked 34th) in 2019 to first place at 322.1 yards in 2020. Last year, he also ranked first with 327.7 yards.

On this day, starting at the 18th hole (par 4), he recorded 2 birdies and 2 bogeys. With 48 players participating, the event proceeds over 3 rounds in a shotgun start format without a cut. Ortiz took the lead at 5 under par, one stroke ahead, followed by Dustin Johnson (USA) in second place at 4 under par (68 strokes), and Koepka tied for 6th at 2 under par (70 strokes), showing that world stars are performing as expected. Schwartzel struggled with 2 over par and tied for 24th place, making his pursuit of a second win challenging.