Tranlate this title Gary Player reacts after Bryson DeChambeau agrees to play his tournament in spanish

Bryson DeChambeau will return to South Africa later this year after confirming that he will make his debut at the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

The two-time U.S. Open champion will play at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City from December 3-6. It will be his second competitive trip to South Africa in 2026 and his first appearance at one of the country’s biggest golf events.

DeChambeau already knows what it feels like to win in the country.

The American played the inaugural LIV Golf South Africa event at Steyn City in March and beat Jon Rahm in a playoff. Both players finished the tournament at 26-under before DeChambeau made birdie on the first extra hole to take the title. His Crushers GC team also won the team competition.

The 32-year-old was delighted with the atmosphere that week and described it as the best LIV Golf event he had experienced. More than 100,000 spectators were expected across the four days.

He will now get another chance to play in front of South African fans, this time on the DP World Tour.

Gary Player delighted to welcome DeChambeau: We are so excited

Gary Player confirmed the news alongside DeChambeau, with the American telling the nine-time major champion that he would return to South Africa.

«Mr Player, it’s official, I’m coming back to South Africa to play in your event, the Nedbank Challenge,» DeChambeau said.

Player was clearly excited about the news.

«We are so excited,» Player replied.

«What you did at Steyn City, we haven’t seen other players do, it was remarkable.

They just loved you as they do around the world, and for you to come back to my tournament is a great honour.»

Player also believes the course should suit DeChambeau.

The Gary Player Country Club is known for its length, something that could work well for one of the biggest hitters in professional golf.

The South African legend later said he was «absolutely delighted» that DeChambeau had decided to play and pointed out how much the local fans enjoyed watching him earlier this year.

The Nedbank Golf Challenge has a long history and has been won by names such as Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Tommy Fleetwood.

DeChambeau will now try to add his name to that list in December.

DeChambeau still has a big decision to make

There will also be a lot of interest in which tour DeChambeau represents when he arrives at Sun City.

His current LIV Golf contract expires at the end of the 2026 season, and the future of the league has changed a lot in recent months.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund decided earlier this year that it would not continue funding LIV beyond this season. LIV has since announced that a new lead investor has been secured through 2030, but there are still questions over whether some of its biggest players will remain.

This year’s LIV season is also ending earlier than planned.

The league cancelled its Team Championship in Michigan, making Indianapolis the final event of 2026. LIV said the move would allow it to focus on the transition to its new investment and business model.

DeChambeau is one of the names whose next move will be watched closely.

Earlier in the year, he repeatedly avoided making a commitment beyond the end of his current deal.

«I’m under contract this year. After that, come what may,» DeChambeau said while discussing his future.

That was different from comments he made in 2025, when he stressed that he was excited about negotiating another LIV deal and believed the league understood his value.

A lot has changed since then.

Brooks Koepka has already returned to the PGA Tour, Patrick Reed has also left LIV, and there are now rumors around Rahm’s future.

DeChambeau has also been involved in discussions surrounding LIV’s future and potential investors. His popularity, major record and huge following outside traditional golf make him one of the most important players for the league to keep.

For now, there is no confirmation that DeChambeau plans to leave LIV.

What is confirmed is that he will be playing another big event away from the league in December.

His first trip to South Africa ended with a trophy after a battle with Rahm. His second will take him to Sun City, where Player and the local fans will be waiting for him.

With his LIV contract ending at roughly the same time, DeChambeau’s appearance could also come during one of the biggest decisions of his career.