Unconventional in character and approach, DeChambeau turns head with his spectacular U.S. Open win.
Despite being perceived as a ‘slow sport’ with expensive overhead, there’s no question that golf attracts a slew of fascinating characters. Before Tiger Woods, there was Arnold Palmer and, before him, there were others, including Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, and Francis Ouimet. The list is long and historic.
While Palmer lives on in name only, Woods and his partner-in-crime, Phil Mickelson, continue to entertain today’s fans. However, as Mickelson moves on to the Senior tour and Woods seeks to regain his competitive edge, there’s an exciting talent in town–and a new ‘character,’ too. His name is Bryson DeChambeau. Since beginning his pro career in 2016, De Chambeau has won seven PGA Tour titles, which is no small feat for a player of his age.
But the biggest catch of all came last weekend when he won his first major championship, the 2020 US Open.
The U.S. Open was played on one of the most challenging courses on the continent, namely, Winged Foot Golf Course, northeast of New York City. DeChambeau took a quick and decisive lead. And on Sunday, he walked off the 18th green with a 67–the only golfer finishing under par (with a 6-under 274).
Perhaps even more impressive was DeChambeau’s style of play. He didn’t win by playing a long-ball and free-wheeling style of play. Instead, his golf course management was the stuff of which golfers dream.
The recognizably different DeChambeau swing (photo, New York Times)
And this wasn’t any tournament played at any course–it was the U.S. Open played at one of America’s most demanding tracks. The U.S. Open marks one of the most highly-anticipated tour events of the year. Fans and pundits who wager on a wide variety of bets eagerly wait to see which golfers will compete (and which they’ll back). The U.S. Open is one of the final stop-offs before players contend for the most spirited event of the year, The Masters.
The mystery now (soon to be solved) is how De Chambeau will perform in upcoming events. The big question is whether we will see a passing of the guard. Neither Woods nor Mickelson made the US Open cut, and the world’s #1, Dustin Johnson, finished tied for #6.
Though some analysts and fans may delay jumping on the DeChambeau bandwagon (his personality isn’t the most magnetic on the tour), the fact remains clear: you can’t ignore last Sunday’s decisive victory. Odds are it’s not a one-off.
What makes this golfer so good at what he does? First, there are basics, including nutrition and adequate sleep. DeChambeau also emphasizes analytics in his training regime, a propensity that has earned him the nickname of ‘The Scientist.’ In addition, he packed on 40 pounds of muscle to make his swing stronger, such that some observers shook their heads when they saw him this year. He hardly looked the same as before.
Some observers poked fun at his appearance, while others thought his ‘brawns-and-brains’ approach to the sport was a fad. The bottom line, though, is that his performance suggests neither conclusion is valid. Credit has been earned … in spades. DeChambeau is only the third player in history (Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the other two) to win the NCAA Championship, the U.S. Amateur title, and the U.S. Open.
What grabs attention these days are his unorthodox (but effective) style, how his clubs have been specially fitted for his hands and body type, and how his attention to specifically-targeted muscle groups enables him to drive the ball farther.
What’s the bottom line? It will be interesting to see if DeChambeau performs, especially because he doesn’t approach the game in conventional ways. He is a most unconventional champion, but a champion nonetheless.
