Bryson DeChambeau Overcomes Topped Tee Shot to Lead LIV Golf Adelaide
Bryson DeChambeau shrugged off one of the strangest tee shots you’ll see at the professional level and still finished the opening round tied for the lead at LIV Golf Adelaide. The two-time major champion’s 6-under 66 included seven birdies and a memorable recovery after a topped drive at the par-5 10th left fans buzzing.
From a scuffed tee shot to birdie: DeChambeau’s unusual break
The moment that dominated early chatter came on the 10th tee at The Grange Golf Club. DeChambeau unleashed a powerful swing that struck the ball low, sending it skimming off the tee box, over a cart path and — improbably — some 245 yards down the fairway. His second shot, a towering 3-wood, found the green in two, and two putts later he had made birdie.
"It was a great line drive into the tee box and bounced it off the cart path, " DeChambeau said afterward. "I had a nice scuff mark. Some kid has a nice scuff marked ball out there. Then it was a perfect 287-yard 3-wood to 27 feet, and nice two-putt for birdie. What else is there?"
He laughed about past mishaps — referencing a thin tee shot at a previous Players Championship — but was candid about the mechanics, noting he struck the ball cleanly and blamed an overly negative attack angle. Only the result matters on the scoreboard, and the day’s outcome was irresistible: a round highlighted by a rare mix of bluster and surgical iron play.
Leaderboard: tight early running and notable names
DeChambeau sits tied atop the leaderboard at 6 under with local favorite Marc Leishman after the opening round. Behind them, 4Aces teammates Dustin Johnson and Anthony Kim sit in a tie for third at 5 under, one stroke adrift. Jon Rahm opened with a 4-under 68 and is listed a few places back, keeping the stacked field within striking distance as play continues.
Kim’s presence is a storyline of its own: he returned to full-team action this week and has found a quick rhythm alongside Johnson, who captains the 4Aces squad. Kim finished strong in the season opener and carried momentum into Adelaide, where home support has been especially fervent for Australian players and teams.
The Grange’s firm, birdie-friendly setup produced low scores for many contenders, but DeChambeau’s round stood out for the mix of drama and efficiency. Seven birdies offset a lone blemish at the fourth hole and left him in a share of the lead as the tournament moves forward.
Format, purse and what’s at stake
This edition of the event is being staged over four days for the first time, extending the competition and giving teams an extra round to make their move. The tournament commands a substantial purse, with the individual winner due to earn a multi-million-dollar prize and team awards also carrying significant payouts that shape roster strategies.
DeChambeau has been vocal about changes to the tour’s format — notably the move to 72-hole events — and his stance remains part of the backdrop as he negotiates the final year of his contract. For now, he’s focused on the golf: a sparkling opening round that proves even an unusual miscue can be absorbed if the rest of the game is clicking.
With multiple stars bunched near the top and supportive galleries lining The Grange, the final rounds promise tight competition and plenty of drama as teams and individuals chase the big checks and ranking points on offer. Play resumes with all eyes on whether DeChambeau can turn Thursday’s oddity into a momentum-building advantage.
