DeChambeau urged to improve mental game for major push

Bryson DeChambeau needs to improve his mental rather than physical strength to contend in major championships, according to three-time European Tour winner Nick Dougherty.

DeChambeau’s physical transformation has been the main talking point since golf’s return to action following the coronavirus shutdown, with the American putting on 20lb of muscle to become an incredibly long hitter.

The approach has paid off with a string of six consecutive top10 finishes followed by victory in the Rocket Mortgage Classic, but DeChambeau’s on-course behaviour has left plenty to be desired.

During the third round in Detroit, DeChambeau reacted to a poor bunker shot by throwing his club into the sand and then confronted the cameraman who had captured the moment at some length, later complaining that the footage could “damage his brand”.

On his next start at the Memorial Tournament, DeChambeau was again the centre of attention as he ran up a 10 on the 15th hole in round two, during which he argued with a referee over whether his ball was out of bounds, complaining: “They’re giving me a garbage ruling like usual.”

To date DeChambeau’s best finish in 11 majors as a professional is a tie for 15th in the 2016 US Open and, speaking ahead of the US PGA Championship at Harding Park, Dougherty said: “Mentally he’s got some changes to adapt to. I think we’ve seen glimpses of it recently.

“When you’re on the screen all the time, which he has been recently, every single thing you do is monitored and judged so it’s hard, because you do make mistakes and then we jump on it because that’s our job.

“But I think mentally is where he can make up that ground in majors because the majors are typically the most enjoyable to watch but the most unfair of challenges, US Open particularly.

“You get tough breaks, around the greens it can be really brutal, and the reactions we saw from him at Memorial, that’s not major championship winning mentality.

“He’s brilliant at learning lessons, he’s quick to pick up on things so maybe he’s going to do all that and it will help him be a better major championship player.”

Teenager Adam Clark was delighted after hitting a hole in one at a par four at Kirriemuir Golf Club last week in the junior club championship. The 17-year-old – who is also a member at Carnoustie – aced the 270-yard seventh hole after taking a driver off the tee. Dad Fergus told Courier Sport: “It’s brilliant. He’s been playing since he was six years old. Doing it at a par four makes it even more special.”