Bryson DeChambeau is in a position to win his second U.S. Open championship. (Photo by David … [+] Cannon/Getty Images)
Bryson DeChambeau is on his way to his second victory in the U.S. Open and also becoming something of a hero in the world of golf.
DeChambeau entered the sport as something of a mad scientist. With his homemade clubs and overwhelming power, nobody knew exactly what to make of him. He was something of a curiosity, but golf fans kept him at arm’s length because of his strange approach and a somewhat standoffish manner.
But there was no denying DeChambeau’s ability. Clearly he had as much power as anyone on the tour, but he also had shot-making ability from the fairway and a keen touch around the greens. When he was clearly on top of his game, his putting was sharp and could turn any round in his favor.
The awkward DeChambeau is a thing of the past. He is now a fan favorite, and he got that way by opening up and showing his humanity. He talks with the crowds, high-fives after a good shot, and he is conversant with the media. He comes across as sincere and that’s why he is becoming popular.
In addition to his rising Q rating, DeChambeau is leading the U.S. Open by three strokes. He had a brilliant third round on the tournament’s moving day and he is seven under par for the tournament after firing a three-under 67 at the maddeningly difficult Pinehurst No. 2 layout.
DeChambeau is the only golfer in the field who has recorded back-to-back-to-back scores of 69 or better. His three-round total of 213 is three strokes better Matthieu Pavon, Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay. Hideki Matsuyama and second-round leader Ludvig Aberg are two strokes behind that trio.
DeChambeau accomplished his leadership position while dealing with a couple of painful hips that required the attention of the tournament’s physio while he was playing the back nine. The medical official managed to treat DeChambeau away from the cameras that wanted to record every moment of DeChambeau’s impressive round.
The golfer blamed his problem on a lack of rest while preparing for the season’s third major tournament of the year.
“It was tougher to get through on a couple shots. It’s OK. I’ve had it for a long time now. It’s just something that popped up,” DeChambeau said. “I’ve been playing a lot of good golf lately, and working on my house, trying to get my house finished, so I haven’t really had time to rest like I want to. The two weeks I had off after the PGA Championship I wasn’t really able to rest.”
Rory McIlroy is going to try to run down Bryson DeChambeau in an effort to win his fifth major … [+] championship. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
DeChambeau has one U.S. Open title to his credit and is in a grand position to earn his second. But don’t think for a second that it will be easy. McIlroy, for one, has been hungering for his fifth major championship for 10 years. He has been sharp in this tournament, but not quite as good as DeChambeau. Cantlay is a grinder who will not relent at any point. Pavon has demonstrated the ability ton win on the PGA Tour, and he became the first Frenchman to do so since 1907 when he won the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year.
The ideal scenario for golf fans would involve McIlroy – or one of the other challengers — chasing DeChambeau and engaging in a down to the wire struggle for all 18 holes on Father’s Day.
That would not be the preferred scenario for DeChambeau. He would like nothing better than to deliver a fourth consecutive round of 69 or better at Pinehurst.
If he can do that, he would most likely distance himself from McIlroy and Co. and take the excitement out of the final round. That’s just what DeChambeau would like to accomplish.
“Just going to say it, tomorrow it’s the same quote I’ve said all week: trying to have boring golf,” DeChambeau said. “Middle of the greens never moves, so I am going to try and hit a lot of the greens, give myself some good looks on some holes and two-putt a lot.”
DeChambeau’s skill with his putter will be the determining factor in whether can tame the scorching hot Pinehurst No. 2 course for a fourth consecutive round and win the U.S. Open.
