Bryson DeChambeau: I'm so close to cracking code

Belfast Telegraph

7 days ago

That win may come at Portrush in the future. It may come elsewhere. But after a seven-over 78 in his opening round on the Dunluce course this week, it seems like DeChambeau has finally turned a corner in his journey to crack links golf.
The polarising American played his final 54 holes in a remarkable 16-under-par, shooting rounds of 65, 68 and 64 including 19 birdies, finishing second in strokes gained off the tee and 10th in total strokes gained in one of the greatest comeback displays in Major golf history to finish in a share for 10th, one shot behind Rory McIlroy.
In fact, had he shot any round in the 60s on Thursday, he would have the Claret Jug in his possession, not Scottie Scheffler.
'It was fair conditions the past few days. I always told you guys I like it when it's fair conditions. I can play well,' pointed out the 31-year-old.
'I still have to crack the code when it's raining and windy. But I feel like we're getting close to some opportunities and solutions for that. It just takes a long time to develop stuff but I'm starting to learn.
'It was a fun three days. I was really proud of the way I turned it around and gave myself actually some hope on the third round, after I was three-under. That first nine I thought, okay, if I go shoot four- or five-under on the back and give myself a chance on Sunday, throw myself up there and go out and play just as good as I did, like I did today, I could be right up there and giving Scottie a run.'
He didn't, of course, but that won't take away from another week where DeChambeau outlined that, for all his detractors and the negative things written about him, when he has control of his golf ball there are few besides the newly crowned Champion Golfer of the Year and some kid from Holywood who can match him.
Added to that is the confirmation that his appeal is still there across the pond, what with the large crowds that accompanied him for the majority of all four rounds, largely of a younger demographic, and the reception he got as he walked down the 72nd hole served as evidence of his popularity.
'I think I look at the game a little bit different than others. I want to win, I think we all know that, but there's more than winning. There's how you influence a younger population, how you showcase yourself and what you do for others, what value do you give them,' he explained.
'The only reason we're getting paid the numbers we're getting paid is because of those individuals out there in the stands. Once I started realising that, I started changing my mindset of, okay, what do I need to do to keep them coming back so they see me more in the light that I'm trying to showcase this great game.
'That's the stuff that excites me now. Not more than tournament golf, but almost as much as tournament golf.
'I can still not do my best and still have relevance and care from others because I'm hopefully growing the game outside of just playing tournament golf.'
DeChambeau can definitely be added to the list of players who are clamouring for the R&A to bring The Open back to Portrush soon, too, extolling the virtues of the course and the town as reasons why it should be back in Northern Ireland sooner rather than later.
'It's a great Open venue,' he added. 'There's a lot of tricky hole locations. I think it was a solid set-up. It would be a lot of fun to come back. It's a great town.'