Dean Burmester’s closing one-under-par 70 on Sunday saw him finish in a share of third place in LIV Golf’s opening event of 2024 ay Mayakoba at the Greg Norman-designed El Camaleon Golf Course in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
The South African Open champion made three birdies and two bogeys to reach 10-under-par for the 54-hole event, and he shared third with new signing and former world number one Jon Rahm of Spain.
They were just two shots behind Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Sergio Garcia of Spain, who closed with one-under-par 70 and five-under-par 66 respectively. In the end, Niemann won a thrilling play-off with a birdie on the fourth extra hole in the gathering darkness after fans called for one final attempt to find a winner.
Burmester won $1.25-million (over R23.6-million) for his share of third.
The all South African team, Stinger GC, finished outside the money in the team contest in fifth place. Captain Louis Oosthuizen finished with a four-under 67 to climb to a share of eighth in the individual contest at seven-under. Charl Schwartzel had a one-under 70 for a three-over total in a share of 38th in the 54-man no-cut field, and Branden Grace was 49th on seven-over after a closing two-under-par 69.
