Dean Burmester dodges Masters question after claiming maiden LIV Golf win

Dean Burmester dodged a question about the Masters after claiming his maiden LIV Golf League win at Trump National Doral in Miami.

Ben Smith

08 Apr 2024

South Africa's Dean Burmester dodged a question about whether he deserves to be in the Masters after he claimed his maiden LIV Golf League win thanks to overcoming Sergio Garcia in a playoff.

Burmester made five birdies on his way to a final round of 4-under 68 to reach 11-under at Trump National Doral.

Garcia returned the same scorecard to match the 34-year-old. He spurned a glorious opportunity to win in regulation.

But the Spaniard watched on in horror as his par putt on the final hole slid by the cup which would have ensured his first LIV win.

Burmester won with a par putt inside six feet on the second extra hole.

It was the third time the 2017 Masters champion had lost in extra holes on the Saudi Arabian-backed breakaway tour.

In February, Garcia lost to Joaquin Niemann in a playoff that ended in darkness. Garcia was also previously beaten by Talor Gooch in Singapore.

"Yeah, I'm at a loss for words," Burmester said. "I've been on the receiving end of these quite a few times.

"There have been times where I've played great and haven't got it done. He [Sergio] gave me a lifeline to get into the playoff and anything can happen.

"Today was my day. I was super calm all day. I'm super proud of what I have done. It has just been a long road."

Burmester has already won twice on the DP World Tour this season.

The first at the Joburg Open secured his spot at this year's Open at Royal Troon.

He was asked by LIV's on-course reporter Dom Boulet whether he feels as though he should be at next week's Masters.

There are 13 LIV players who will be heading to Augusta National.

Boulet asked Burmester: "Do you feel like you deserve to be there?"

Burmester replied: "I mean, I can't say that. Augusta make their own decisions but I feel like I've played some of the best golf of my career and played against some of the best players all over the world and won [this year] and this proves it.

"Do I want to be there? For sure, I obviously want to be there."

Elsewhere, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton tied for fourth alongside Marc Leishman.

Anthony Kim finished 53rd on 21-over on his first start on American soil since announcing his comeback to professional golf.