Bryson DeChambeau, birdies and beer: Inside LIV Golf Nashville’s ‘party hole’ at The Grove

Bryson DeChambeau prepared to tee off, surrounded by the lively atmosphere of the grandstands filled with the scent of sweat and beer, as LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman stood on the green. In a playful gesture, Norman tended the flag on the par-3 15th hole for DeChambeau, the reigning 2024 U.S. Open champion, during the second round of the LIV Nashville tournament on Saturday.

DeChambeau, initially puzzled by the situation, later admitted, “I had no idea it was Norman. If I knew it was him… I would have been totally cool with it. I wasn’t trying to wave him off.” This moment underscored the quirky ambiance of the 15th hole at The Grove, a 132-yard, par-3 “party hole” with amphitheater-style seating, VIP suites, and ample beverages, reminiscent of the raucous par-3 16th at the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.
https://x.com/flushingitgolf/status/1804615570647560442?t=WlXZZ-xM3coQHkrQHJ8E-g&s=19
DeChambeau’s tee shot landed about 10 feet from the hole, prompting him to jog along the fairway to exchange high-fives with fans. While most spectators kept their shirts on, a few men opted for a more relaxed dress code. The Nashville crowd, known for their enthusiastic partying, proved even rowdier than during the opening round. A throng of people with plastic cups followed DeChambeau as he approached the 15th tee, capturing the essence of the sold-out day at The Grove. By day’s end, DeChambeau was 9 under for the tournament, trailing leader Tyrrell Hatton, who was at 13 under, heading into Sunday’s final round.

Gary Bryant, a dedicated spectator, waited nearly three hours to catch DeChambeau at the 15th hole. “It’s different than the PGA Tour, but it’s a good different,” Bryant noted. “It’s more interactive. But we know the golfers are here to focus on the course, too.”

The crowd’s reactions were vocal and varied: boos for players missing the green and cheers for those who landed close, regardless of who was teeing off. Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, typically a crowd favorite, faced boos when his tee shot found the left bunker. Conversely, Jon Rahm received applause for his shot that landed about 8 feet from the pin, despite having to quiet a loud fan during his partner Richard Bland’s turn.

Rahm reflected on the challenge of focusing amidst the noise, saying, “It’s always tricky when you have some sort of distance-control wedge, and then you have all the noise. You almost need to control your adrenaline.”

Norman, who started the day with Hatton’s group, eventually made his way to the 15th hole, where he solicited feedback from fans on improving concession line efficiency. Zack Denlinger, who conversed with Norman for about a minute, suggested, “If someone’s in line for a hot dog, but all I want is a Transfusion drink, I don’t need to wait for the hot dog to be done. I just want a drink.”

The demand for drinks was high throughout the day. “It’s fun to be able to, for one hole, go, ‘Oh, look at this environment, this is sweet. Let’s give the fans a little something special,’” DeChambeau said, reflecting on the unique experience. “Yeah, I love it.”