MASSIVE pay days for SA quartet at LIV Golf event at Trump National

American Harold Varner III edged South Africa’s Branden Grace by a single shot to win the LIV Golf Invitational – DC tournament and claim the $4 million top prize on Sunday.

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Varner, who ended 12-under for the three-round week, made birdie on his final hole, the par-5 18th, at the Trump National course in Sterling, Virginia, to avoid a playoff after Grace had also birdied his final hole, the par-4 second.

The win was the first, as a professional, on American soil for the 32-year-old Varner with his previous victories coming at the Australian PGA in 2016 and the Asian Tour’s PIF Saudi International last February.

Varner shot a four-under 68 in his final round after setting the early pace with his superb eight-under 64 on Friday.

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Grace had put himself in contention with a fine, bogey-free round of 66, including two birdies on the final three holes.

But Harold Varner III kept his cool and credited his attitude for a composed final-round performance.

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Chilean Mito Pereira had gone into the final day with a one-stroke lead but started with back-to-back bogeys and not even his eagle on the 13th could help as he ended with a 71 and two shots off the lead.

Brooks Koepka, who won the PGA Championship last week and became the first LIV golfer to win a major since the Saudi-backed tour was formed, finished 14th, seven shots behind Varner.

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Grace earned $2.25 million (R44.3 million) for his runner-up finish.

The other three South Africans in the field also enjoyed handsome pay days.

Louis Oosthuizen finished in a tie for sixth and banked $615 000 (R12.1 million), while Dean Burmester (T15) earned $295 000 (R5.8 million).

Charl Schwartzel ended in a tie for 29th and took home $182 500 (R3.6 million).

But that’s not all!

The South African foursome, playing as the Stingers GC, combined to finish second in the team competition, earning an additional $375 000 (R7.4 million) each.

LIV Golf DC individual prize money

Position	Player	Score	Earnings
1	Harold Varner III	-12	$4,000,000
2	Branden Grace	-11	$2,250,000
3	Mito Pereira	-10	$1,500,000
T4	Sebastian Munoz	-8	$900,000
T4	Henrik Stenson	-8	$900,000
T6	Louis Oosthuizen	-7	$615,000
T6	Kevin Na	-7	$615,000
T6	Andy Ogletree	-7	$615,000
T9	Bryson DeChambeau	-6	$425,000
T9	Cameron Tringale	-6	$425,000
T9	Cameron Smith	-6	$425,000
T12	David Puig	-5	$350,000
T12	Carlos Ortiz	-5	$350,000
T12	Brooks Koepka	-5	$350,000
T15	Peter Uihlein	-4	$295,000
T15	Dean Burmester	-4	$295,000
T15	Talor Gooch	-4	$295,000
T18	Graeme McDowell	-3	$250,000
T18	Eugenio Chacarra	-3	$250,000
T18	Laurie Canter	-3	$250,000
T18	Pat Perez	-3	$250,000
T18	Scott Vincent	-3	$250,000
T23	Matt Jones	-2	$205,000
T23	Richard Bland	-2	$205,000
T23	Dustin Johnson	-2	$205,000
T23	Brendan Steele	-2	$205,000
T23	Martin Kaymer	-2	$205,000
T23	Ian Poulter	-2	$205,000
T29	Charl Schwartzel	-1	$182,500
T29	Anirban Lahiri	-1	$182,500
T31	Joaquin Niemann	E	$167,500
T31	Sergio Garcia	E	$167,500
T31	Charles Howell III	E	$167,500
T31	Bernd Wiesberger	E	$167,500
T35	Marc Leishman	1	$148,000
T35	Danny Lee	1	$148,000
T35	Lee Westwood	1	$148,000
T35	James Piot	1	$148,000
T35	Patrick Reed	1	$148,000
40	Bubba Watson	2	$140,000
41	Jediah Morgan	5	$137,500
T42	Chase Koepka	8	$133,750
T42	Abraham Ancer	8	$133,750
44	Phil Mickelson	9	$130,000
45	Sihwan Kim	14	$127,500

Team prize money

Position	Team	Score	Earnings
1	Torque GC	-27	$3,000,000
2	Stinger GC	-24	$1,500,000
3	RangeGoats GC	-19	$500,000