Champ bludgeons Open win
Sceptics and rivalswill have to think again as brute force overpowers brutal course
Callhim amad scientist in a tam o’shanter cap. Callhima game-changer in golf. Any description of Bryson Dechambeau nowstarts withus Openchampion.
In a breathtaking performance yesterday at Winged Foot, on a course so demanding no one else broke par, Dechambeaublasted awaywith his driver and had short irons from the ankle-deep rough on hiswayto a 3-under 67.
Whenhis 2.1m par putt fell on the 18th, Dechambeau thrust those two powerful arms into the air. Thiswas validation that his idea to add 18kg of mass, to produce an incredible amount of speed and power, would lead to momentslike this.
Twoshots behind Matthew Wolff going into the final round, he passed himin five holes, pulledaway to start the back nine andwoundupwinning by six shots.
Wolff, trying to becomethe first player since Francis Ouimet in 1913 to win theusopenin his debut, closed with a 75. Louis Oosthuizen birdied the 18th to finish alone in third.
Just under a year ago, Dechambeauclosed outhis 2019 season in Las Vegas and said, “I’m going tocomeback next year and look like adifferent person.”
Helivedup to hiswordamong scepticswhowondered if the smash factor would work at amajor, especially one atwinged Foot. Dechambeaupledged to keep hitting it as far as he could, even if that meant being in the rough.
Andit worked. Hehit only three fairways on Sunday, six yesterday and 23 for theweek.
Scepticism turned into admiration, with ahealthy dose of disbelief.
“I don’t reallyknowwhat to say because that’s just the complete opposite of what you think ausopen championdoes,” Rory Mcilroy said. “Look, he’s found awayto do it. Whether that’s good or bad for the game, I don’t know, but it’s just not theway Isawthis golf course being played.”
Dechambeaufinished at 6-under 274, a score no onesaw coming. He left nothing to chance, staying on the practice range until past8pm— the club turned lights on forhim— in cold weather while he pounded driver after driver, trying to find enough accuracy to take himto a title.