South African star Dean Burmester storms back from three straight bogeys to capture LIV Golf Chicago 2025 in a dramatic three-man playoff against Jon Rahm and Josele Ballester. Watch the clutch 6-foot birdie putt that sealed a $4 million payday and his second LIV victory!
Key moments you’ll see:
• Burmester’s roller-coaster final round (71, 9-under total)
• Birdie on 16 to regain the lead
• Rahm & Ballester birdie 18 to force playoff
• Playoff heroics on 18: missed chances by Rahm & Ballester, Burmester sinks the winner
• Stinger GC also wins team playoff over Torque
• Updated LIV individual standings—Niemann still on top
Chapters:
0:00 Intro & tee shots
0:45 Early bogeys & comeback
2:10 Birdie on 16
3:05 18th hole drama
4:20 Playoff pressure
5:30 Winning putt & celebration
6:45 Prize money & LIV points update
#livgolf #deanburmester #jonrahm #golfhighlights #playoff
What happens when a golfer throws away a commanding twoshot lead only to stage one of the most dramatic comebacks in LIIV golf history? Dean Burmester just showed us exactly how champions are made under pressure. The South African sensation pulled off something truly spectacular at LIIV Golf Chicago this past Sunday, turning what looked like a complete disaster into his second career LIIV victory worth a staggering $4 million. But here’s where it gets controversial. Some are calling this win more about mental toughness than pure skill. Picture this. Burmester stood on the first tee with a comfortable twoshot cushion, looking like he had the tournament wrapped up. Then came three consecutive bogeies that sent shock waves through the Bowling Brook, Illinois venue. Most golfers would have crumbled right there. Most would have let the pressure consume them entirely. But Burmester, he did something different. Instead of letting those early mistakes define his round, the determined golfer grinded his way to an even par 71, ultimately posting a 3-day total of 9 under 204. And this is the part most people miss. It wasn’t just about recovering from those bogeies. It was about timing his comeback perfectly when it mattered most. The real drama unfolded on the 16th hole where Burmeister sank a crucially birdie that appeared to put him back in the driver’s seat. Victory seemed within reach. However, both John Rom, yes, the former Mast’s champion and Spain’s Joseé Le Ballister had other plans, each draining their own birdie putts on the 18th hole to force an unexpected three-way playoff. Now, here’s where the story takes an interesting twist that’s bound to spark debate. In the playoff, both Rahm and Ballister, two incredibly skilled players, missed very makeable birdie opportunities from approximately 12 ft. Were they feeling the pressure? Did they overthink those putts? Meanwhile, Burmeister stepped up and coolly knocked in his six-foot birdie attempt like it was just another day at the office. Some might argue that winning in a playoff where your opponents miss crucial putts diminishes the victory slightly. Others would counter that champions make their putts when it counts regardless of what others do. What’s your take on this? This triumph marks Burmeister’s second LIV golf title following his breakthrough victory in Miami last year. The win also delivered a team championship for his Stinger squad who edged out Torque in their own playoff battle for the team honors. But here’s an intriguing subplot that’s flying under the radar. Walk Neiming despite tying for a modest 17th place finish managed to maintain his lead over Rom in the individual point standings. What makes this particularly fascinating is Neman’s unusual pattern. He’s never managed a top 10 finish in LIIV golf except for his seven victories. Think about that for a moment. He either wins or he doesn’t contend at all. Is this the mark of an inconsistent player or someone who only peaks when everything aligns perfectly? This raises some thoughtprovoking questions about the current state of live golf and what constitutes true consistency in professional golf. Is it better to be the player who consistently finishes in the top 10 or the one who either wins big or goes home empty-handed? What do you think made the difference for Burmeister in that playoff moment? Was it pure skill, mental fortitude, or perhaps a combination of his opponent’s nerves getting the better of them? And more controversially, does Neman’s all or nothing approach make him a more dangerous competitor than someone with steady, consistent finishes? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s get this debate started.
