Bryson is driven to distraction...
FANS IN KOEPKA TAUNT
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU suffered a final-round collapse after again getting heckled by fans calling out “Brooksy”.
The world No.6 has a running feud with fellow American Brooks Koepka, right – and his form has suffered this summer.
Playing in the final group with Harris English at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in Memphis, DeChambeau asked police to intervene as he was taunted by fans shouting his rival’s name.
He shot 41 on the back nine to card a 74 and finish tied eighth. He had shot
65, 66 and 63 in his opening three rounds.
Both players were put on the clock for slow play as overnight leader English also crumbled to shoot a
73 and miss a playoff won by Mexico’s Abraham Ancer.
But English said:
“It’s not real fair for them to call him ‘Brooksy’ a lot. It kind of sucks and obviously he hears it and it affects him a little bit. He doesn’t like it, and that causes them to do it more. It just sucks that they’re trying to irk people like that. It’s just unfortunate.”
DeChambeau, who was slammed by his club manufacturer Cobra for claiming his driver “sucks” during The Open last month, is never far from controversy.
He missed the Olympics after testing positive for Covid-19 and said he did not regret not getting vaccinated. Speaking before the event, he said: “I’m young enough, I’d rather give it to people who need it. I don’t need it. I’m a healthy, young individual that will continue to work on my health.”
The American refused to speak to the press in Memphis but was criticised on social media by European Tour players Richard Bland and Edoardo Molinari for failing to shout “fore” after his wayward shots.
Bob MacIntyre’s bid to earn a Ryder Cup wildcard was boosted by finishing tied 15th at the St Jude to secure special temporary membership of the PGA Tour. The Scot, who looks like competing with Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose for the captain’s picks, has been given a sponsor’s invite to play in this week’s Wyndham Championship.