NASHVILLE PREVIEW: Crushers ready to ride the DeChambeau wave
COLLEGE GROVE, Tenn. – Crushers GC are one short of their regular line-up again for the second straight week – Charles Howell III is taking another week off as he recuperates from the stress fracture in his left foot. However, they are definitely not short on motivation.
That’s down to the heroics of one man – Captain Bryson DeChambeau and his sensational display at Pinehurst last week to win the 124th US Open.
The legend of the man, who has been the linchpin of a strong and solid reigning LIV Golf Team Champions, has continued to grow, and the US Open win has simply added another grand chapter to his story.
Crushers are leading the Team Standings once again, courtesy of two miraculous back-to-back wins in Jeddah and Hong Kong. They are currently 17.5 points ahead of second-placed Legion XIII. And thanks to an immense dose of inspiration from their Captain, they will start as one of the favorites this week.
DeChambeau is confident he will provide another exciting show in Nashville, with the event almost sold out following his win last Sunday.
Asked what’s in store for the fans this week, the 30-year-old Dallas resident said: “More great shots. More exciting, thrilling, amazing shots…
“I’ve got to recover and get ready for Friday, which I should be ready to do. But certainly, it’s been a whirlwind for me, and a lot of adrenaline going through my body the past few days. There's going to be an adrenaline dump here, and I’ve got to get myself back up and ready for Friday.
“I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of controlling a lot of the uncontrollables that I didn’t know was going to come from this, and we’ve just got to keep on the path and give the fans an exciting weekend. That's what I’m here for.”
Crushers will have American standby player John Catlin filling in for Howell again. Leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit following back-to-back wins in International Series Macau presented by Wynn Resorts and the Saudi Open presented by PIF, Catlin was solid in his LIV Golf debut with a tied 24th place in Houston.
“The only thing I am disappointed about is that we are missing Chucky (Howell) this week, especially with what Bryson did at the US Open. There is so much happiness, pride and feel-good factor in the team at the moment. I wish he was fit again and be here to experience what’s been an amazing week so far for Bryson,” said Anirban Lahiri, who was the best-placed member of the team with a tied 6th finish in Houston.
“Not to take anything away from John, who did really well in Houston in his debut appearance, and we all know how tough that can be when the competition is as tough as it is on LIV Golf. But this is a special moment for Crushers and we have been through so much together as a team over the past couple of years, it would have been great to have him here.”
In Friday’s opening round, DeChambeau takes pride of place on the opening hole alongside Houston champion Carlos Ortiz and Jon Rahm, while Lahiri will be in the company of Henrik Stenson and Talor Gooch on the 5th hole. Catlin, who is leading the Asian Tour Order of Merit this season, will be on the 8th tee with 2023 Order of Merit champion Andy Ogletree and Sam Horsfield. Casey is in the company of Bubba Watson and Marc Leishman on the 17th hole.