Asian Tour star Richard T. Lee became a star on the LIV Golf League today when he came agonisingly close to recording one of the biggest upset wins in the history of the franchise.

The Canadian was defeated by American Bryson DeChambeau on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off at LIV Golf Singapore – in a gripping and unexpected finish on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, that will live long in the memory of Asian golf fans.

Lee had looked odds on favourite to record a famous win but DeChambeau, and the large crowd assembled, were left aghast when he missed a two-foot putt for par to hand his American opponent the win.

Moments earlier DeChambeau, in rainy conditions that caused several delays, had found water off the tee on par-five 18^th but scrambled a par, thanks to a brilliant up and down after draining a three footer.

Lee found the green in regulation and faced a makeable uphill birdie putt from 15 feet for the title. It narrowly slid by before he proceeded to miss the next as well, which was inside his opponent’s.

Richard T. Lee. Picture by Jason Butler/Getty Images.

It came after Lee had secured the clubhouse lead on 14-under, thanks to brilliant round of five-under-par 66, with four birdies in the last six, including on 17 and 18. However, DeChambeau, playing in the final group also birdied 18 to tie the Canadian. He also shot 66.

Said Lee about his final putt: “There’s some slick putts out there. There’s some little lies out there.  It was a short putt, and I wanted to just hit it hard, and I hit it a little too hard.  I think the adrenaline was pumping a little bit.  Then again, I felt like I had it this week.  I played really well.  Hopefully next week I can try again.”

Despite just missing out it is arguably the finest performance his career.

The 35-year-old is a three-time winner on the Asian Tour and won LIV Golf Promotions in January to earn his place on the League, as a ‘Wild Card’.

He explained the result was the culmination of several seasons of brilliant form: “I think the last three or four years, ever since I changed that putter to a mallet putter, my putting stats got better and I think I built a lot more confidence out there.

Bryson DeChambeau reacts to Lee’s missed putt on 18. Picture by Jason Butler/Getty Images.

“LIV Promotions, there’s only three spots, and you’ve got to play lights out.  Yeah, I just played the best I can and don’t look back.”

Dusin Johnson’s 4Aces GC side won the team title