07 August 2023 , 17:19
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Jon Rahm has paid tribute to LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau, after the Crushers GC captain became the first player on the breakaway circuit to break 60 on Sunday.
DeChambeau secured his first LIV Golf title at the weekend, prevailing at LIV Greenbrier by six shots. The victory was one of the most impressive the breakaway circuit has seen in its 14-month history, after DeChambeau shot a remarkable final round of 58 across his last 18 holes.
The 2020 US Open champion made 13 birdies and one bogey during his final round on Sunday, to write himself into professional golf's history books.
Speaking afterwards, DeChambeau described the round as the 'greatest moment' in his golfing career, as he became only the seventh player to shoot 58 across any of the sport's major professional tours. He said: "It's beyond words.
"I've been working so hard for a long time, and I knew something special was going to come at some point, I just didn't know when...Then today I just kind of felt everything clicking." DeChambeau received the well wishes from a whole host of the sport's biggest names following his heroics.
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One of those was Masters champion Rahm, who put aside his PGA Tour allegiances to praise the American. He tweeted: "No matter who or where you are playing, 58 on a Sunday to win is an incredible accomplishment! Congrats @b_dechambeau on your win today at the Greenbrier."
Rahm's tribute came just a week after he laughed off the thought of ever joining the breakaway circuit, having made his thoughts about the 54-hole, team concept extremely clear. "I laugh when people rumour me with LIV Golf," he told the Golf Sin Etiquetas Podcast. "I never liked the format."
Two of Rahm's closest friends in golf in fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia, and six-time major champion Phil Mickelson opted to make the Saudi switch. Despite this, the Masters champion revealed there had been no respect lost between his pals.
"I always have a good time with Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia in the practice rounds of majors," he added. "Phil respects my decision, and I respect his [choice]. Mickelson has told me that I have no reason to go play for LIV, and he has told me that multiple times.”