Bryson DeChambeau
Perhaps when you name your newborn Bryson DeChambeau you're not exactly shooting for ordinary, and the two-time PGA Tour champion is nothing if not extraordinary. His eccentric Puma Golf clothing and innovative One-Length Cobra Golf irons have given him a unique reputation on Tour. His meticulous approach means he is reaping some hard-earned rewards with his second PGA Tour win at the Memorial Tournament.
How It Happened
The victory lifts DeChambeau to No. 22 in the World Rankings, and at just 24 years old there is no doubt about his potential. The likes of Justin Rose, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy were all in hot pursuit come Sunday, making it all the more impressive that DeChambeau held his nerve to shoot a one-under 71. However, it wasn't enough to pull away from Byeong Hun An and Kyle Stanley, who also finished on -15. A makeable birdie putt on the 18th missed left, meaning DeChambeau would need a playoff. Stanley's bogey on the first playoff hole eliminated him, before a Bryson birdie on the second saw him clinch a deserved title.
The Big Guns
Tiger's Thursday par equalled that of Thomas, DJ & Fowler and went two better than McIlory and Mickelson as the big guns failed to fire in the opening round. Friday, on the other hand, saw ten players shoot a 6-under 66, including Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, DJ & Mickelson. Then, on Saturday, McIlroy surged up the leaderboard with a round of 64. Tiger went 67-68 on Friday-Saturday before a level-par final round saw him finish on -9 at T23.
Joaquin Niemann: The Baby-Faced Assassin
Niemann just picked up his third top-10 finish since turning professional... in five tournaments. 19 years old, five professional appearances, three PGA Tour top-10 finishes. Let that sink in. He took sixth spot on his professional debut at the Valero Texas Open, T8 at the Fort Worth Invitational and T6 at the Memorial Tournament. The Chilean may still sit at World No. 223, but that won't last long. He's already climbed 1304 places in less than two months.
Only one teenager has won a PGA Tour event since 1931. Jordan Spieth's win at the 2013 John Deere Classic came two weeks shy of his 20th birthday. Immediately after the winning putt, the commentator said "first of many". It's already the first of 14 and he's only 24. Niemann won't turn 20 until November, meaning he has plenty of time to break Spieth's record. I know I'm getting carried away, but how could you not? This kid is special.
Bryson DeChambeau - What's in the Bag?
Driver: Cobra King LTD Pro
3-Wood: Cobra King LTD Black
5-Wood: Cobra King F8+ Baffler
Irons: Cobra King One-Length Utility (4 & 5), Cobra King One-Length (6-PW)
Wedges: Cobra King V Grind, Cobra King WideLow Grind
Putter: SIK Tour prototype
Golf Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X
Written by Joe Carabini