Bryson DeChambeau: A little luck, a lot of skill needed to pull out major wins

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina: Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka are the LIV Golf members who’ve had the most major success in their careers, with six and five titles, respectively. But these days, the best bet from that league to win a major is Bryson DeChambeau.

DeChambeau returned to the winner’s circle and captured his second US Open last year when he outlasted Rory McIlroy down the stretch. Besides that, he’s been in contention more consistently than ever, with a tie for fifth at the Masters last month and a runner-up finish to Xander Schauffele at the 2024 PGA Championship.

Only McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have shorter odds than DeChambeau at most major sportsbooks to win the PGA Championship this week at Quail Hollow.

“This is exciting times,” DeChambeau told reporters Tuesday. “I’m playing some good golf. Hopefully that continues this week. Figured a couple things out with my golf swing. Putting really well. Love the golf course this week.”

The 31-year-old has finished in the top six at four of the past five majors, the lone exception coming at the Open Championship last July.

“I feel like I’ve always had the capacity to play well in major championships and contend consistently,” DeChambeau said. “A lot of things have to go right in majors for you to play well. Your whole game has to be on.”

At Valhalla Golf Club in 2024, DeChambeau went toe to toe with Schauffele and posted a 64 on Sunday to get to 20 under. However, Schauffele did him one better with a birdie at the par-5 18th to win the major.

“A little bit of luck and one or two shots going your way, you making a putt from 7, 8 feet,” DeChambeau said. “There’s going to be numerous players that are playing well this week that are going to have a chance.