Crushers make it a match play in Chicago against Legion XIII
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. – Crushers GC, the dominant team in LIV Golf season once again, did just enough to stay on top of the season-long standing ahead of Legion XIII in LIV Golf Greenbrier.
On a golf course where Captain Bryson DeChambeau created history last year with weekend rounds of 61-58 to win his first LIV Golf title, Crushers recorded their second-worst finish of the season. However, the 8th place at 30-under gave them 1 point, which was enough to keep their nose ahead of Legion XIII by half a point.
Crushers are now on 176.5 points, which guarantees that they will finish inside the top-three of the season-long standings after the last regular event of the season in Chicago which will get them a bye in the first round of the Team Championship in Dallas.
It also means Chicago will be a virtual match play between the two teams to top the standings. Whichever team finishes ahead, even if it means Legion XIII are placed 8th, will become the No.1 seed team for the Team Championship.
Only DeChambeau finished among the points in Individual Standings for Crushers in Greenbrier, tied 15th at 11-under total.
Charles Howell III, who rejoined the team after a 12-week break because of a stress fracture in his leg, was rusty as he knew he’d be, while Anirban Lahiri’s relentless schedule over the past eight weeks took a toll as he made just five birdies the whole week.
A late eagle on his 16th hole on Sunday was the only solace as Lahiri finished tied 42nd. That hole proved important in keeping the overall lead intact for Crushers.
Howell, despite hitting full swings for less than a week before the tournament, shot a 6-under 64 on Saturday. He eventually finished tied 37th at 5-under total.
Paul Casey has proven to be the solidity that Crusher has depended on this season, but the Englishman could do no better than a tied 28th place at 8-under par. He made only 5 bogeys during the week, but not as many birdies as he would have liked. It was only the 4th time Casey has finished outside the points this season.
DeChambeau proved to be the sole bright spark with rounds of 68, 65 and 66 for an 11-under total, but on a golf course where he shot 12-under 58 in a single round, the week would have felt disappointing for the Captain.
The other disappointment was that a win in Greenbrier would have given DeChambeau a chance to contend for the top-three place and the Individual Bonus Pool. However, at 93.96 points, even a win in Chicago will not be enough to jump six places.
STAT REVIEW
Field ranking in parentheses
Fairways Hit
DeChambeau – 25 (T30)
Casey – 32 (T4)
Howell – 26 (T24)
Lahiri – 27 (T20)
Driving Distance Avg.
DeChambeau – 335.2 (4)
Casey – 326.7 (15)
Howell – 322.5 (23)
Lahiri – 322.9 (T21)
Greens in Regulation
DeChambeau – 43 (T15)
Casey – 43 (T15)
Howell – 37 (T46)
Lahiri – 37 (T46)
Total Putts
DeChambeau – 83 (T8)
Casey – 89 (T37)
Howell – 83 (T8)
Lahiri – 88 (T34)
Total Birdies
DeChambeau – 16 (T11)
Casey – 13 (T27)
Howell – 11 (T35)
Lahiri – 5 (54)