Emulating Spieth an exact science for amateur DeChambeau

AS Bryson DeChambeau made his way out of the interview room following his second round at the Masters, the Green Jacket moderator slipped up and called him Jordan.

It was an easy mistake to make. For 36 holes the US Amateur champion had walked stride for stride with Jordan Spieth with just one shot separating them at the 18th tee.

What was DeChambeau thinking when he saw his name alongside the defending champion on the leaderboard on the back nine at Augusta National on Friday? ‘I belong,’ he said.

DeChambeau turns pro tomorrow and don’t be surprised if he wins on the PGA Tour before the year is out. He’s right. He does belong.

He is also one of the most interesting

golfers to emerge in years. A physics major at SMU, his application of science to golf led him to believe he could avoid many of the back problems that plague so many if all his irons were of the same length.

With his trademark white cap as a tribute to Ben Hogan, DeChambeau is already rubbing some people up the wrong way. Some of his comments can also appear gauche.

Asked whether he gets nervous, the devout 22-year-old said: ‘I’ve seen people nervous but for me, no. Playing golf is a good opportunity to show my character and my grace.’ No amateur has ever won the Masters but for 15 holes on Friday, DeChambeau outplayed the world’s best. He was four under at the 16th tee and despite a bogey, par, triple bogey finish, he still shot 72 to stand tied eighth.

It was no fluke. He led after the HSBC Championship first round in Abu Dhabi and last month shot 66 alongside Rory McIlroy in the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

‘Keep playing like that and we’ll be seeing a lot more of you,’ Rory told him.

Of that, there does not appear much doubt.