Dean Burmester Takes Command at LIV Golf Chicago 2025

Bolingbrook Golf Club, Chicago, Illinois – August 9, 2025

Dean Burmester surged into the lead at LIV Golf Chicago with a scintillating 6-under-par 65 on Saturday, sitting at 9-under for the tournament and holding a two-shot advantage heading into the final round at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Trailing closely are Jon Rahm and Josele Ballester, both at 7-under, with players like Bryson DeChambeau lurking in the stacked leaderboard, setting up a thrilling Sunday showdown in the Windy City.

Dean Burmester: Riding Momentum and Good Vibes

Representing Stinger GC, Burmester’s second round was a masterclass in seizing opportunities amidst challenging conditions. The windy, firm, and fast Bolingbrook layout tested every facet of the field’s game, but Burmester thrived, particularly on the back nine. “It just kind of fed into the rest of the round,” he said post-round, reflecting on a strong start with key par saves on the tough opening holes. “Made two lovely birdies on 6 and 7, and then 12th hole to make eagle two days in a row to keep the momentum is exactly what I needed.”

His eagle on the 12th, sparked by a “perfect” 4-iron and a well-read putt, ignited a run of eagle, birdie, birdie, birdie that propelled him to the top. Despite a missed short putt on the 8th due to a gust of wind, Burmester’s composure and ability to manage the course’s bouncy fairways and pure bentgrass greens showcased his maturity. “You need a little bit of luck,” he admitted, drawing parallels to his victory at Miami’s Doral, where similar conditions rewarded his strong driving and strategic play.

Burmester’s season has been a mix of highs—near-misses in Hong Kong, Saudi, and the UK—and lows, notably a disappointing performance at Valderrama. “That was probably the lowest point of the season for me,” he said, but he’s channeled that frustration into motivation, shedding weight and refining his game to contend late in the season. Now, with a chance to secure his first individual LIV Golf title, Burmester is relishing the opportunity to go head-to-head with Rahm and rising star Ballester. “To do it against one of the best players in the world in Jon and a new exciting kid in Ballester is going to be special,” he said with a grin, noting he might need to “brush up on my Spanish” for the final group.

The Stinger GC captain also highlighted the team dynamic, with all four players staying together in a house this week—a setup that proved successful during their Tulsa victory. “It could be a good omen for us,” he said, hopeful that his team, currently T-1 in the Team Championship, can capitalize on their collective momentum.

Jon Rahm: Chasing a Title Defense

Jon Rahm, captain of Legion XIII and the defending champion at Bolingbrook, sits at 7-under after a 4-under 66, tied with Ballester in second. Despite a rollercoaster round that saw him 2-over through his first 10 holes, Rahm turned it around with a spectacular eagle on the 12th, courtesy of a “4-iron as good as I can hit a golf shot.” That moment shifted the momentum, leading to a strong finish that keeps him in contention. “Happy to give myself another chance going into tomorrow,” Rahm said.

The Spaniard, who trails in the season standings (Rahm won the 2024 Individual Championship), is chasing points to fend off Joaquín Niemann from claiming the title in 2025. He remains focused on the task at hand: winning. “The goal is to win, and by winning, I’ll get the most amount of points I can possibly get,” he said, acknowledging the need for a bit of luck regarding Niemann’s performance. Rahm’s comfort at Bolingbrook stems from familiarity with the course’s thick rough and undulating greens, reminiscent of his upbringing in Spain, and his stellar driving—gaining strokes off the tee in 27 consecutive events—remains a cornerstone of his game.

Playing alongside Ballester, a fellow Spaniard and former Arizona State standout, adds intrigue to Sunday’s final group. “I’m fully aware that tomorrow I’m probably going to be by far the shortest in the group,” Rahm quipped, referencing the prodigious length of Burmester and Ballester. Yet, his experience and short-game prowess, honed on courses like Bolingbrook, make him a formidable threat to defend his title.

Josele Ballester: The Rookie Sensation

In just his fifth LIV Golf start, Fireballs GC’s Josele Ballester has announced himself as a force, carding a 5-under 66 to sit at 7-under, tied with Rahm. The young Spaniard’s round was highlighted by early long putts and exceptional driving, which he credits for his success. “I was hitting it really good off the tee,” Ballester said. “With the wind that we had today and even yesterday, being able to keep it low and put it in position was key."

A “dumb bogey” on the 18th, where a 410-yard drive left him just 20 yards from the green only to take four more shots, was a minor blemish on an otherwise stellar day. “Maybe that’s something that I need to get better at, being more disciplined,” he reflected, showcasing the introspection of a player rapidly adapting to the professional game. Ballester’s improvement around the greens, an area he admitted was a weakness earlier this season, has also been pivotal. “When you are playing great and you are hitting your drivers in position… subconsciously also your short game gets better,” he noted.

Ballester’s rapid rise—buoyed by a confidence-building 4-under at Valderrama—has him in the final group with his idol, Rahm. “Being able to share a final pairing with him is going to be really fun,” he said, emphasizing the team spirit at Fireballs GC, who lead the Team Championship. A win on Sunday would make him the youngest LIV Golf champion, but Ballester is focused on the moment: “These are the moments that I practice for so much in my career.”

The Chase: DeChambeau and Beyond

Lurking behind the leading trio is a pack of contenders, including Bryson DeChambeau, whose power and precision make him a constant threat. The bunched leaderboard, a hallmark of LIV Golf’s competitive depth, ensures that no lead is safe. With the course playing firm and fast, and winds continuing to challenge, Sunday’s final round promises drama.

For Burmester, the goal is clear: manage the course, lean on his driving, and convert birdie chances as he did in his LIV Miami victory. Rahm will rely on his all-around game and Bolingbrook familiarity to mount a charge, while Ballester’s fearless approach and prodigious length could shake up the leaderboard. With team and individual honors on the line, LIV Golf Chicago is poised for a dramatic finish as Burmester aims to hold off the Spanish duo and a star-studded field.

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