Grace Wins Second Match "LIV Golf is Now in Its South Africa Golden Era"... What About 'Entertainment Icon' Johnson? (Comprehensive)

LIV Golf's First Mainland US Event: '3-Stroke Victory', Following Opening Champion Schwartzel, Showcasing 'South African Squad Power'

Brandon Grace is cheering while holding the trophy immediately after winning the second LIV Golf event. Portland, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "South African squad power."

Brandon Grace surged with a 7-under-par final round on the 3rd (Korean time) at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club (par 72) in Portland, Oregon, USA, to claim a come-from-behind victory (13-under-par 203) in the second LIV Golf Invitational event (total prize money $25 million). The winner's prize is $4 million (51.9 billion KRW). Alongside Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, and Hennie du Plessis (all from South Africa), Grace competed as part of ‘Team Stinger,’ which finished second in the team event (16-under-par 200).

Starting from third place, two strokes behind, Grace displayed strong finishing power by collecting eight birdies and one bogey. His late surge, including three consecutive birdies from holes 15 to 17, was especially impressive. The champion of the opening event held last month on the 12th at Centurion Golf Club in London, England, was Schwartzel. Truly, the ‘South African squad’ is emerging as the face of LIV Golf. Exactly 48 players compete without a cut, playing three rounds, and are divided into 12 teams through a draft system, adding a team competition element.

LIV Golf, led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is a ‘money festival’ with a total prize pool of $25 million (32.45 billion KRW) per event, including $20 million for individual competition and $5 million for team competition. The last-place finisher receives $120,000 (156 million KRW). The team event winner’s prize of $3 million (3.89 billion KRW) is split among four players. Carlos Ortiz (Mexico), who joined from the second event, finished second, two strokes behind (11-under-par 205), while ‘showbiz icon’ Dustin Johnson (USA) remained in fourth place (9-under-par 207).

Dustin Johnson is hitting a drive shot on the 1st hole on the final day of the LIV Golf second event. Portland, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

It is surprising that second-round leader Johnson faced a tough day with four birdies and three bogeys. LIV Golf paid a staggering ?100 million (156.4 billion KRW) as a joining fee for the ‘showbiz icon.’ He also finished only eighth in the first event, showing some urgency. This time, it was especially significant as his first event on the U.S. mainland. The ‘4 Aces GC’ team, formed with Patrick Reed, Pat Perez, and Taylor Gooch (all from the USA), took consolation by winning the team event (23-under-par 193).

Reed finished third, ‘twist swing’ Matthew Wolff eighth (3-under-par 213), ‘Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau (USA) tenth (2-under-par 214), Abraham Ancer (Mexico) eleventh (1-under-par 215), and ‘major man’ Brooks Koepka (USA) twentieth (even par 216). The rise of the newly joined ‘young blood’ is quite noticeable. The third event will continue on the 29th at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, USA.