Bryson DeChambeau tops drive but still makes birdie and ties R1 lead at LIV Golf Adelaide
LIV Golf Adelaide R1 Scores: Bryson DeChambeau hits shocking topped drive but instantly bounces back en route to tying first-round lead in Australia.
Bryson DeChambeau | -6 | 66 |
Marc Leishman | -6 | 66 |
Dustin Johnson | -5 | 67 |
Anthony Kim | -5 | 67 |
Abraham Ancer | -4 | 68 |
Graeme McDowell | -4 | 68 |
Joaquin Niemann | -4 | 68 |
Jon Rahm | -4 | 68 |
Bryson DeChambeau produced one of the most bizarre highlights of the opening round at LIV Golf Adelaide — and somehow still walked off with a birdie.
The two-time US Open champion shockingly topped his tee shot on the 529-yard par-5 10th at The Grange East Course, sending the ball nosediving into the turf.
For most club golfers, it would have been a moment to forget. For DeChambeau, it still travelled a scarcely believable 245 yards — about as far as many amateurs would take a well-struck drive.
Rather than let the mishit derail him, DeChambeau responded in emphatic fashion.
From 245 yards out, the 32-year-old American flushed a fairway wood straight onto the green, setting up a straightforward two-putt birdie. It was classic Bryson — power, resilience and a touch of the extraordinary.
That unlikely birdie proved symbolic of his day. DeChambeau carded a composed 6-under-par 66 to grab a share of the first-round lead in Australia.
DeChambeau sits alongside home favourite Marc Leishman at the top of the leaderboard after 18 holes, with the Adelaide crowd firmly behind the Australian.
Watch Bryson's topped drive here:
😳 Possibly the most insane sequence of golf you’ll ever see by a professional.
— 54.Golf 🎬 (@_54Golf) February 12, 2026
Bryson DeChambeau just topped a drive…it went 245 yards (a good drive for most) down the fairway 👀
Then nearly drops an albatross from 278 yards out!
pic.twitter.com/jPa2T0YTMI
Dustin Johnson, meanwhile, is one shot back after a 5-under round, joined by his new 4Aces GC team-mate Anthony Kim. Kim, continuing his comeback story, kept himself firmly in contention with an impressive opening effort.
A strong chasing pack lurks just two shots behind the leaders on 4-under-par, including Abraham Ancer, Graeme McDowell, Joaquin Niemann and Jon Rahm — setting up a tightly contested remaining 54 holes at LIV Golf’s most popular stop.
DeChambeau is seeking a fourth career win on the LIV Golf League and his first in Australia.
Pre-tournament favourite Rahm is incredibly seeking his first individual win on LIV Golf since September 2024.
Rahm failed to win a single event in 2025 but as a result of his consistency with regular top-five finishes, he ended up defending the season-long Individual Championship - that was despite Niemann winning five times.
The Spaniard, who has two career LIV titles to his name, came close again at last week's season-opening LIV Golf Riyadh when losing out to Elvis Smylie by a shot.
Niemann leads the all-time win count on LIV Golf with an impressive seven victories to his name.
Andy Roberts first joined GolfMagic on a month's work experience back in April 2011.
Andy then assumed the role of GolfMagic Editor in 2015.
