From the ridiculous to the sublime, this was just another day in the life of Bryson DeChambeau. “You know me – a lot of fireworks,” said the big American, almost apologetically, as if the only way to get around St Andrews is nurdling it in a suit, tie and R&A blazer.
That, of course, is not really DeChambeau’s style. The 28-year-old has a history of going against the grain, whether that is joining the LIV tour or going into the research and development lab to work on his latest driver amendments.
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Surgery to mend a dodgy wrist earlier this year has curtailed his power of late but DeChambeau reckons he’s back up “to 97 to 98% now. There’s every once in a while where my hand gets tired, fatigued still. I’m going to start speed training here again. I’m like around a 190mph ball speed. I can get it to 200mph, but it’s just not worth it out here.”
His length off the tee is well documented and much like watching Chris Gayle launch a six into the stands or Julian Dicks take a penalty, there is something to be admired in the raw athleticism of the man, particularly when viewed in the flesh. Some fans at St Andrews have even taken to booing DeChambeau when he doesn’t (sensibly) take driver, apparently unaware that this isn’t a driving range.
“Look, I’m trying to win a major, so I’m trying to play where I can have the best opportunity to make birdie,” said DeChambeau. “It’s fun. I know I’m going to get booed. I have no problem with that whatsoever. If anything, it’s good banter.”
For all DeChambeau’s power, there is also subtlety, a belying touch that occasionally comes to the fore. Despite his putting action having all the fluency of CP30 cradling a newborn,
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