In a dramatic and heartbreaking finish at the Aramco LIV Golf Singapore tournament, Canadian golfer Richard T. Lee narrowly missed a two-foot putt during a playoff against American star Bryson DeChambeau, surrendering the victory but securing a monumental payday that nearly doubled his career earnings.
A Costly Miss on the Final Hole
The tournament, held at Sentosa Golf Club on Sunday, March 15, 2026, culminated in a tense playoff at the par-5 18th hole. Lee, a 35-year-old Toronto native, had mounted an impressive charge on the back nine, birdieing four of his final six holes to catch DeChambeau and force the extra session. However, with the win within grasp, Lee's putt from close range slid past the hole, handing the title to DeChambeau.
"There’s some slick putts out there, it’s a short putt and I wanted to hit it hard and I just hit it a little too hard," Lee explained in a post-event interview with the LIV broadcast. "I think the adrenaline was pumping, but I feel like I had it this week and I played really well. Hopefully next week I can try again."
Substantial Consolation Amid Disappointment
Despite the gut-wrenching miss, Lee's performance yielded a significant financial reward. He took home $2.25 million for second place, a sum that dramatically boosted his career earnings. Prior to joining LIV Golf, Lee had accumulated just over $2.5 million in 15 years playing primarily on the Asian Tour, where he is a three-time winner. With this single week's payout, his total earnings now exceed $3 million in less than three months on the LIV circuit.
Lee earned his spot on LIV Golf by winning the LIV Promotions event in Florida in January, shooting 11-under to win by five strokes and secure one of three open spots. He is not a member of a LIV Golf team and would have been the tour’s first wild card winner had he clinched the victory.
DeChambeau's Respect for the Canadian Contender
Bryson DeChambeau, a two-time major champion, expressed mixed emotions after his win, sharing in Lee's heartbreak before celebrating with his Crushers GC teammates. "I absolutely hated it for Richard, he’s been playing some unbelievable golf," DeChambeau said. "He’s beat me in a few of the rounds I’ve played with him and he’s a stellar player. I wanted to go another hole with him."
DeChambeau added high praise for Lee's inclusion in the league, stating, "The league should be really proud to have him on as a wild card."
A Promising Career Trajectory
Richard T. Lee's golf journey has been marked by early promise and recent resurgence. In 2007, he qualified for the U.S. Open at just 16 years old, becoming the second youngest player to compete in the championship at that time. Now, as the first and only Canadian to play on LIV Golf, Lee's performance in Singapore underscores his potential on the global stage.
The tournament highlighted not only his skill but also his resilience, as he bounced back from the playoff disappointment with grace and determination. With his earnings skyrocketing and his game sharp, Lee looks poised to continue making waves in professional golf, aiming to convert near-misses into victories in future events.
