Dechambeau takes lead in Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas – This holiday event in the Bahamas is taking on a little more meaning for Bryson Dechambeau seeking a small measure of revenge and for Collin Morikawa pursuing a more noble goal of reaching No. 1 in the world.
One week after getting whipped by Brooks Koepka in Las Vegas at their made-for-tv match, Dechambeau made five birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn at Albany and overcame a late double bogey from a wild drive for an 8-under 64. That was good for a oneshot lead going into the weekend at the Hero World Challenge.
The group one shot behind included Koepka, of course, who made a 12-foot par putt on the final hole for a second straight 67.
They won’t be in the final group on Saturday, though Dechambeau would appear to relish that chance. “That would be sweet,” he said to Golf Channel.
Koepka shrugged and said, “I already proved everything.”
Morikawa, newly engaged and not one for petty battles, made a strong move on the back nine with a birdiebirdie-eagle sequence until falling victim to the tough 18th, playing into a strong breeze. His bogey led to a 66, but he was right where he needed to be.
“Just got to use that momentum for tomorrow,” he said.
A victory against this 20-man field is the only way Morikawa can reach No. 1 in the world, and only then for a week before Jon Rahm – not playing this week – is projected to return to the top based on the two-year rolling formula.
Not to be overlooked is Tony Finau, who seems to be in the mix most weeks. He made one of only two birdies on the 18th, rolling in a 15-foot putt for a 66 to
finish one shot back.
Daniel Berger also made birdie on the 18th and was two shots behind.
Dechambeau’s one big miss on the 16th led to a double bogey, and he answered with a tee shot to 3 feet on the par-3 17th to keep ahead. He was at 11under 133. Dechambeau, who spoke on a 30-minute conference call last week when trying to promote his TV match with Koepka, returned to his practice of only giving interviews to the network covering the tournament.
His big run started with a birdie on the par-5 sixth, and the only hole he didn’t birdie over the next hour was the par-3 12th. He nearly drove the green on the reachable par-4 14th and caught a break when it was rolling off the steep slope and went into a sprinkler hole, slowing the ball’s momentum and leaving him a simple up-and-down.
He wound up with the low score of the tournament, and Sam Burns wasn’t too far behind with a 65.