Portrush, Northern Ireland (AP) - July 16: Bryson DeChambeau, a well-known YouTuber and enigmatic golfer, is never short of radical ideas. Often referred to as “The Scientist,” DeChambeau seems to have another unconventional concept brewing.
"Imagine a scenario where there's a 400-yard tent, and you can unleash any type of shot with any wind along with all the fans. That would be wild," he speculated at the British Open on Tuesday. DeChambeau envisions a setup akin to hitting shots in a massive hangar or stadium. Given his history, it wouldn't be surprising to see him turn this idea into reality.
DeChambeau is willing to explore any avenue if it improves his lackluster record at The Open, golf's oldest major championship. The 31-year-old American has participated in the event seven times, coping with the unpredictable weather being a challenge. His performances include three missed cuts, and he's finished inside the top 30 only once.
This record is a source of frustration for DeChambeau, who sees himself as a deep thinker of the sport. Notably, he played well at the Walker Cup at Royal Lytham St. Anne’s—another course on The Open rotation—in 2015 and recently handled windy conditions well at LIV Golf events in Miami and Valderrama.
Yet, the British Open seems to challenge him disproportionately. Last year at Royal Troon, he was blown off course, shooting 76-75 and missing the cut, admitting afterwards, “I can do it when it's warm and not windy.”
"For some reason, my swing hasn't been at its best when I'm over here," DeChambeau acknowledged on Tuesday. However, his swing is in peak form now, combining distance and accuracy while honing his putting skills in challenging conditions. It’s a learning curve that wasn’t part of his upbringing in sunny California.
Winning the claret jug—despite his struggles at The Open—would add a third major title to his accolades, joining two U.S. Open victories, and likely increase his YouTube following, which has already reached over 2 million subscribers.
DeChambeau's popularity in Northern Ireland is evident, as he took time to sign autographs and take photos with fans, including many children, outside Portrush. He fulfills these requests gladly.
Using YouTube, DeChambeau shares a different side of himself with fans, stressing that his online presence is nearly as important as his tournament results. “I'm not going to be here forever,” he reflected, pondering the legacy he hopes to leave. It's a humbling journey that fuels his off-course passions.
Even if his golf game frustrates him, he remains committed to engaging with fans, signing autographs, and nurturing the sport he cherishes.
The desire to excel at Portrush this week burns brightly within him, especially with the eyes of Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley upon him ahead of the match against Europe in September.
“I feel pressure every week to perform well—not just for Keegan, but for myself and everyone who supports me online,” DeChambeau stated. "I'll walk through the fire rather than run away from it.” (AP)
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