I’m stand-in teammate for Bryson DeChambeau – now I want permanent LIV Golf contract’

Apmerican golfer John Catlin is on the verge of securing a full-time spot in LIV Golf following a remarkable showing at LIV Golf Nashville. Catlin, a reserve player for Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC, stepped in for Charles Howell III, who suffered a severe left leg injury and could not compete. DeChambeau recounted the news, saying, “I got a text probably four or five days ago now, and he’s like, ‘Man, I’m sorry, I’m not going to be able to play.’ He’s like, ‘I fully snapped my leg in half.'”

Despite the short notice, the 33-year-old Catlin made an impressive impact. He shot two consecutive 5-under rounds, totaling 10-under after two rounds. This performance placed him in second place, just ahead of team captain DeChambeau, who was at 9-under. The field leader, Tyrrell Hatton, sat at 13-under as the third round of LIV Nashville prepared to commence on Sunday afternoon. Catlin’s performance has garnered significant attention from golf fans and boosted his confidence in securing a full-time position with the Crushers GC.

Reflecting on his performance, Catlin remarked, “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t creep in there, but again, I don’t really have any control over that. That’s up to the captains, the managers, and the team organization. If I just keep doing what I’m doing, things are going to work out. I hope I get more opportunities to showcase what I can do. We’ll just have to wait and see. I can tell you right now, I would love to be out here.”

Catlin’s path to this moment has been a rollercoaster. After losing his DP World Tour card in 2023, he clawed his way back through the Asian Tour qualifiers. A six-time champion on the Asian Tour, Catlin made a splash in the 2024 season with consecutive wins at the International Series Macau and the Saudi Open presented by PIF. His victory in Macau was particularly noteworthy, as he shot a record-breaking 11-under-par 59 in the third round, the first sub-60 round in Asian Tour history. He narrowly defeated Spaniard David Puig in a playoff, adding to his list of impressive victories, which includes the 2019 Thailand Open and the 2021 Austrian Open.

Catlin’s exceptional performance in Nashville has not only highlighted his talent but also solidified his ambition to become a regular fixture in the LIV Golf league.