PGA Tour vet Steele stays strong to secure maiden LIV Golf title
FORMER PGA TOUR STALWART Brendan Steele captured his maiden LIV Golf title last Sunday (Apr 28) in Adelaide.
The 41-year-old American led overnight by one and after an early bogey refocused to reel off five straight birdies on the front nine in a four-under-par 68 to finish 54 holes at the Grange Golf Club at 18-under.
In front of bumper crowds and a carnival atmosphere, South Africa’s 11-time European Tour winner and 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen came second after seven birdies in his 65 with Spanish two-time major winner Jon Rahm among a group of five to finish a further shot back.
Alongside him tied for third were Charl Schwartzel, Andy Ogletree, Joaquin Niemann and Dean Burmester, who won the previous event in Miami.
It was Steele’s first LIV win since joining Phil Mickelson’s “Hyflyers” team last year following 12 years on the PGA Tour that garnered three titles.
He credited Mickelson for a breakthrough victory that earned him US$4 million (B148mn).
“I had a good talk with him yesterday, sat just the two of us for about an hour and he was telling me there is no reason I can’t be one of the best players in the world,” he said.
“He went through every part of my game and said ‘you just need to start believing in it’.
“And I thought okay, if one of the best players ever in the game is telling me that, I better start believing it.”
Steele began with a one stroke advantage, but dropped a shot on the third as Oosthuizen picked up three birdies in his opening five holes for a four-way share of the lead.
With the pressure on, Steele holed a clutch putt at the 13th for birdie to again move two clear before a birdie from Oosthuizen at the 17th set up a tense finale.
But Steele lived up to his surname with an approach shot at the 18th to within six feet to secure the par he needed to win.