LIV golfer hops over to DP World Tour… and wins!
Kitted in his Stinger GC clothing, Dean Burmester won his third DP World Tour title in South Africa after playing his first LIV Golf season…
Dean Burmester crossed golf’s broad divide this week to win the Joburg Open.
The LIV Golf member carded a superb final-round 64 in South Africa to win his third DP World Tour title by three shots.
Burmester joined the Saudi-funded series at the start of 2023 but was allowed to play this week through the national spots category.
With this victory, Burmester will be part of the LIV contingent heading to the 152nd Open at Royal Troon next year.
“I can’t describe what’s happened,” he said. “I was a little rusty coming in, but honestly, my team did such a great job in getting me ready for this week.
“The two or three days preparation we did have was fantastic, and it paid off and then the fans are always fantastic back home in South Africa.”
Closing out victory on home soil 🇿🇦#JoburgOpen pic.twitter.com/0SdVDKsQE5
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 26, 2023
Burmester won twice on the circuit before making the switch for the start of LIV’s second season.
He came 14th in LIV’s standings this season, meaning he earned a spot in the 2024 schedule without a worry of finding a new team.
Players such as Bernd Wiesberger, who has been granted his DP World Tour membership back, and Graeme McDowell became free agents without contracts after the LIV season finished.
Fellow LIV and Stinger GC players Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace also teed it up at Houghton GC.
Each player from Greg Norman’s league who played this week is no longer a member of the DP World Tour and has no outstanding sanctions.
A handful of the LIV roster including Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann also played in the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship which was won by Min Woo Lee.
NOW READ: Is Jon Rahm on the verge of signing for LIV Golf?
Dean Burmester: LIV Golf member but DP World Tour winner? Should LIV players be allowed back to the tour? Tell us on X!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
