In a nutshell: Key takeaways
- The Travel Grind: Bryson DeChambeau admits the “brutal” toll of jet lag moving between global continents but views it as a professional necessity.
- The Turning Point: After a frustrating T24 finish in Hong Kong, Bryson used the setback as a “kick in the butt” to refocus.
- Rapid Redemption: Just one week after his Hong Kong disappointment, he secured a playoff victory in Singapore.
- Mzansi Bound: The Crushers GC Captain is now at Steyn City for the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa, joining a star-studded field and entertainment lineup featuring Black Coffee and Calvin Harris.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – The Club at Steyn City is buzzing with electric energy as it prepares to host the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa from March 19–22.
While the headlines focus on the R1 billion tourism boost expected for the region, the conversation behind the ropes on Tuesday turned to the raw, human element of professional sports—jet lag, mental blocks, and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement.
Sucking it up: The professional reality
Fresh off an individual victory in Singapore, Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau was candid about the physical toll of global travel.
Moving between continents as “mere molecules” across time zones is a brutal reality of the league’s expanding footprint, which recently saw South Africa join the global roster through a new Rolex partnership.
”It’s brutal going from time zone to time zone,” DeChambeau admitted. “But as professionals, that’s what we have to do. We have to suck it up sometimes and go through tired moments and the body not feeling great. That’s just a part of the job.”
The “kick in the butt” motivation
For DeChambeau, staying motivated after a victory isn’t about resting on his laurels; it’s about a constant, internal evolution. He described his career as a continuous “personal journey” where the goal is always to be a better version of himself—whether that’s for a major tournament or a YouTube video.
Reflecting on the emotional swings of the season, he recalled a moment of frustration in Hong Kong as a major turning point. Despite the high stakes, DeChambeau finished T24 at 10-under par at the Hong Kong Golf Club—a result that left him searching for answers.
”I was so frustrated after Hong Kong playing the way I did,” DeChambeau shared. “I said, ‘This is enough. I’ve got to change something.’ Sometimes that’s just what it takes—a kick in the butt—and you focus in a little bit more and dial yourself in. It’s not always pretty, but it’s a situation that sometimes as professionals we all experience. You say, ‘Okay, it’s enough.’ And so I think it’s a lot about a personal journey more than anything.”
The turnaround was immediate. Just one week after his Hong Kong disappointment, as shown in the below YouTube video, he secured his fourth LIV individual title in a dramatic playoff in Singapore.
This victory served as the ultimate proof that his “personal journey” was back on track heading into the thin air of Johannesburg.
Beyond the individual: A festive debut
The festive atmosphere at Steyn City extends far beyond the fairways. While teams like Majesticks GC have locked in talent like Sam Horsfield to tackle the Highveld altitude, the “After Play” entertainment is set to be just as world-class.
The tournament features a top-class lineup including international superstar Calvin Harris, the Saxby Twins, and lordkez. Most notably, Mzansi’s own Grammy-winning DJ Black Coffee returns for a headline set on Friday. Black Coffee’s appearance is a major cultural moment, marking another chapter in his meticulous journey to global domination.
As local heroes Southern Guards GC prepare to lead the charge on home soil, the 24-hour countdown is a final moment for players like DeChambeau to “dial in” before the first shotgun start rings out across Johannesburg.
Read next on NOWinSA
- LIV Golf South Africa: How a R1 billion tourism boost is transforming Johannesburg
- Explore the massive economic impact as 54 of the world’s best golfers descend on Steyn City.
- From the bittersweet BET Award to Madison Square Garden: The meticulous journey of Black Coffee
- As he prepares for his headline set this Friday, we look back at the global rise of South Africa’s Grammy-winning icon.
- Majesticks GC lock in Sam Horsfield for LIV Golf South Africa
- Meet the talent aiming to master the Highveld altitude this weekend.
Quick facts: LIV Golf South Africa 2026
- Dates: March 19–22, 2026
- Venue: The Club at Steyn City, Johannesburg
- Format: 4 rounds (72 holes), shotgun start
- Post-round concerts:
- Thursday: Saxby Twins + lordkez
- Friday: Black Coffee
- Saturday: Calvin Harris + St. Lucia
- Sunday: GoldFish
