Abraham Ancer wins three-way playoff at 2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong; Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers claim another team title
Abraham Ancer loves a playoff.
His lone win on the PGA Tour went to extra holes and the same can be said of his first LIV Golf victory. Ancer defeated Cameron Smith and Paul Casey with a birdie on the first playoff hole to win 2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong on Sunday.
After rounds of 7-under 63 and 8-under 62 on Friday and Saturday at Hong Kong Golf Club’s Fanling Course in Sheung Shui, Ancer struggled on Sunday to a 2-over 72, which opened the door for Casey (64) and Smith (66) to tie him atop the leaderboard at 13 under. Joaquin Niemann shot the low-round of the day, a 7-under 63 to finish T-4 alongside Carlos Ortiz (66), one shot outside of the playoff.
“Man, I made that so hard on myself. The ball-striking wasn’t there, but mentally I was really strong, so I felt really good. I felt like I was not going to give up. That round could have gone south really quickly,” Ancer explained. “Hit some good bunker shots, some good putts that I needed to and just kept myself in it and hit the right shot at the right time there in the playoff.”
MORE: Best shots from LIV Golf Hong Kong
ABRAHAM ANCER IS YOUR CHAMPION IN HONG KONG 🏆
He wins with a birdie on the first playoff hole 👏#LIVGolf @Abraham_Ancer pic.twitter.com/2rDi7mmYcU
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) March 10, 2024
On the team side, Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC won for the second consecutive week after another strong Sunday to finish at 35 under, two shots clear of Niemann’s Torque GC. Smith and his Ripper GC earned their first top-three finish of the season at 32 under.
“I love these guys. They fight for every shot, and I can tell you when four scores are counting, we’re a pretty deadly team,” said DeChambeau. Before this season LIV switched its format to make all four player scores count to the team score in the final round. The worst score is dropped in the first two rounds.
“We know with four scores counting, we’re going to be in it no matter what the last day,” he added. “We put the pedal to the metal today and showcased who we are.”
Last year’s team champions, the Crushers have finished 2-4-1-1 in LIV’s four events so far this season. After winning the season opener, Jon Rahm’s new squad, Legion XIII, finsihed T-5 and fifth the last two events before coming in dead last this week in Hong Kong.
Anthony Kim has struggled in his return to pro golf with LIV, but after shooting over par in his first five rounds, the 38-year-old finally found the red numbers with a 5-under 65 on Sunday. Kim made seven birdies and two bogeys and finished 50th in his second event.
LIV is off for the rest of the month and returns to Trump National Doral, April 5-7, for 2024 LIV Golf Miami.
2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Louis Oosthuizen of STINGER GC looks on after play a shot on the 10st green on…
Louis Oosthuizen of STINGER GC looks on after play a shot on the 10st green on day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Louis Oosthuizen of STINGER GC looks on after play a shot on the 10st green on…
Louis Oosthuizen of STINGER GC looks on after play a shot on the 10st green on day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Matt Jones of Ripper GC play a shot on the 14st hole on day two of the…
Matt Jones of Ripper GC play a shot on the 14st hole on day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Abraham Ancer of FIREBALLS GC reacts on the 18th green on day two of the LIV…
Abraham Ancer of FIREBALLS GC reacts on the 18th green on day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Abraham Ancer of FIREBALLS GC reacts on the 18th green on day two of the LIV…
Abraham Ancer of FIREBALLS GC reacts on the 18th green on day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Matthew Wolff of RANGEGOATS GC hits a tee shot on the 14st hole during day two…
Matthew Wolff of RANGEGOATS GC hits a tee shot on the 14st hole during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC hits a tee shot on the 3st hole during day two…
Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC hits a tee shot on the 3st hole during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Greg Norman,LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner looks on during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational…
Greg Norman,LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner looks on during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Harold Varner III of 4ACES GC play a shot on the 6st green on day two of…
Harold Varner III of 4ACES GC play a shot on the 6st green on day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Eugenio Chacarra of Fireballs GC reacts on the 13th green during day two of the LIV…
Eugenio Chacarra of Fireballs GC reacts on the 13th green during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 09, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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General views 18th green ahead of LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong…
General views 18th green ahead of LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
General views 18th green ahead of LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong…
General views 18th green ahead of LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
General views the entrance ahead of LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong…
General views the entrance ahead of LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
General views 1th hole ahead of LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong…
General views 1th hole ahead of LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Bryson DeChambeau of CRUSHERS GC hits a tee shot on 1st hole during day one of…
Bryson DeChambeau of CRUSHERS GC hits a tee shot on 1st hole during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman (R) speaks attendees during the LIV Golf tournament at…
LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman (R) speaks attendees during the LIV Golf tournament at Fanling golf club in Hong Kong on March 8, 2024. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP) (Photo by PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Joaquin Niemann of TORQUE GC putts on 14th green during day one of the LIV Golf…
Joaquin Niemann of TORQUE GC putts on 14th green during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Louis Oosthuizen of Stinger GC plays a shot from a bunker on 13th green during day…
Louis Oosthuizen of Stinger GC plays a shot from a bunker on 13th green during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Brooks Koepka of SMASH GC reacts after a shot on the 10st green during during day…
Brooks Koepka of SMASH GC reacts after a shot on the 10st green during during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC reacts on the 10th green during during day one of the…
Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC reacts on the 10th green during during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC hits a bunker shot on the 18st green during during day…
Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC hits a bunker shot on the 18st green during during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Cameron Smith of RIPPER GC line up a shot on the 18st green during during day…
Cameron Smith of RIPPER GC line up a shot on the 18st green during during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
A general view of the opening ceremony during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational -…
A general view of the opening ceremony during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Ian Poulter of MAJESTICKS GC hits a bunker shot on the 1st green during during day…
Ian Poulter of MAJESTICKS GC hits a bunker shot on the 1st green during during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Jon Rahm of Legion XIII reacts on the 10th green during during day one of the…
Jon Rahm of Legion XIII reacts on the 10th green during during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Cameron Smith (R) of RIPPER GC reacts with Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC on the 18st…
Cameron Smith (R) of RIPPER GC reacts with Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC on the 18st green during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Dustin Johnson of 4Aces plays a tee shot during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational…
Dustin Johnson of 4Aces plays a tee shot during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
Bryson DeChambeau of CRUSHERS GC looks on after hits a shot on the 6st green during…
Bryson DeChambeau of CRUSHERS GC looks on after hits a shot on the 6st green during during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - Hong Kong at The Hong Kong Golf Club on March 08, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong
LIV team Fireballs GC player Abraham Ancer hits a tee shot during the 2024 LIV Gol…
LIV team Fireballs GC player Abraham Ancer hits a tee shot during the 2024 LIV Gol Hong Kong. (Photo: Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images)
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