Team Liquid CSGO got their 2019 up and running with victory in the iBUYPOWER Masters IV with a victory over Astralis in the final.
North American org Liquid edged to a 2-1 victory over their Danish rivals, battling back from a 16-4 defeat on Inferno to win on Dust and Overpass - both 16-11.
It meant a triumphant start for Stewie on his first tournament for Liquid since joining from MIBR in December.
The American 21-year-old tweeted to describe the win as "scrappy" but thanked home fans for support at the event in Los Angeles.
Victory will no doubt be a confidence boost to Liquid, with the IEM Katowice CSGO Major coming up in February. The defeat was perhaps unexpected for Astralis, who dominated CSGO in 2018, but it would not be the first time the Danes have lost a less significant event before going on to win the Major.
Astralis coach Danny 'Zonic' Sorensen said "a little part of me is happy" for Liquid, while Magisk congratulated the Americans on their victory.
Janko 'JNk' Paunovic, who left MIBR as coach as part of the winter shake-up and is now with FaZe, also tweeted to congratulate Stewie.
Picture: Stewie / Twitter
