Crushers not taking things lightly against Iron Heads in semis
CARROLLTON, Texas – Local Hero Bryson DeChambeau and his Crushers GC, the reigning Team Champions in LIV Golf, will start their campaign at this year’s LIV Golf Team Championship in Dallas with a semi-final clash against Iron Heads GC.
On paper, it may look like a lop-sided affair, with the No. 1 seeds at the end of the regular season taking on the 13th and last seeds, but DeChambeau and his men will be acutely aware of the pitfalls of taking their opponents lightly. After all, Captain Kevin Na’s team caused the biggest upset of the quarter-finals on Friday at Maridoe Golf Club, knocking out Brooks Kopek and his Smash GC in an enthralling match.
DeChambeau revealed his line-up, with Paul Casey going out first against Scott Vincent. The Captain will play the second singles against Danny Lee, who beat Taylor Gooch 1-up on Friday, while Na and Jinichiro Kazuma take on Anirban Lahiri and Charles Howell III in the foursomes.
Crushers have stuck to their tried and tested formula from last year’s Team Championship in Miami, and DeChambeau said: “I have Paul going first, just because he has such a bulldog mentality. I am kind of in the anchoring position, and Baan and Charles are playing the foursomes. They did not get a point in the last two years, so they are pumped to get it done this year.”
Crushers have won three team titles in the 2024 season - one less than Legion XIII - but collected the most points thanks to three seconds, one third and two fourth place finishes in the 13 counting events.
DeChambeau is very aware of how important the matchplay round on Saturday is going to be, before Sunday when all four scores count. Winners will be placed in the first group and can only finish 1st to 4th. The losing teams will play for 5th to 8th place in the stroke play round.
“It’s all hands on deck. We’ve got to have our best going into tomorrow. It’s 18 holes, it’s match play. Anything can happen. We're aware of that. We respect that,” said the reigning US Open champion.
“We called the Stingers out in the first year and we got, no pun intended, stung. It’s just one of those things that we have a deep profound understanding and respect for people that we think aren’t necessarily playing well and what not, so we are going to focus like it’s a final round.
“The Iron Heads beating Smash just shows the depth of play out here. I think that people are starting to realise how good everyone is and how much we want to fight to win. That’s been a big misunderstanding for a lot of individuals out there, and it certainly shows with the Iron Heads doing what they did today. It’s impressive, and it’s exciting for the League.”
FRIDAY’S MATCHES
Singles: Paul Casey vs Scott Vincent
Singles: Bryson DeChambeau vs Danny Lee
Foursomes: Anirban Lahiri/Charles Howell III vs Kevin Na/Jinichiro Kozuma