Dean Burmester hailed the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa as the greatest week of his life despite the Southern Guards’ narrow loss to the Crushers, highlighting the pride and excitement of the South African fans and team performance. Picture: LIV Golf
Image: LIV Golf
Despite coming up short by a single stroke in the team competition, Southern Guards player Dean Burmester described the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa as the greatest week of his life.
The Southern Guards held a big lead which ballooned to nine during the early stages of the final round only to be caught by the Crushers - led by Bryson DeChambeau who won the individual tournament - and then passed with one hole to play.
Ultimately, the Crushers won by a single shot over the home favourites.
It may have been a crushing finish for the SA quartet of Burmester, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace - but it would remain a week in the history books for the Rainbow Nation.
"I mean, obviously, a little gutted we didn’t get it done. But I'm proud to be South African,” said Burmester.
“South Africa showed up and we put on the greatest show in golf.
“I think it's clear to see the greatest fans in the world and they came out in their thousands and they were behind us all the way and we threw everything at it, but the Crushers did an amazing job today and they managed to pip us by one.”
Despite the disappointment at the end, it was a truly unique experience, explained Burmester.
“That's the nature of the beast, but we're going to be back next year and we're going to be stronger and we're going to be ready to tackle this thing again.
“This was the greatest week of my life. Honestly, collectively, it has to be the greatest four days I've had on a golf course, the most fun.
“I didn't get down on myself once, which is something I tend to do and it was impossible. Everybody shouting my name and I was just smiling, telling jokes and shouting crazy things out. I've never experienced that in my life. I know a lot of American guys might have [in the USA], but I've never experienced anything like that.”