News

DeChambeau holds straight to claim U.S. Open title

Published

6 years ago

Sep 20, 2020

Although the rounds came out of order, let the record show that Bryson DeChambeau did record a 70, a 69, a 68, and, on the most important of days, a Sunday 67. He was the only player to shoot under par on day four, and the only player to finish under par for the week.

His six-shot victory was not a dominant one, but it was the next best thing: impressive. DeChambeau balanced strategy and sinew to perfection, decoding the challenges and opportunities offered by the West Course at Winged Foot, and he claimed his first major title just four days after his 27th birthday.

For nine holes on Sunday, DeChambeau was in a battle with pairing competitor Matthew Wolff. First #BigBangTheory, and then #RipDog, posted eagle at the par-five 9th, thanks to identical driver-pitching wedge combos. They went to the back nine at 5 under and 4 under, respectively. At 10, Wolff’s iron turned over just enough to miss the green and leave him the most awkward of stances. He made bogey, and the lead was doubled. The eagle at nine turned out to be Wolff’s only hole below par all day, and he would drop three more shots on the way in. Wolff finished the week at even-par, a number that many projected to win after Friday’s round.

DeChambeau simply gave no openings to anyone on this final day. His final birdie came at the 11th after his approach failed to release and finished on the fringe. Undeterred, he putted from the fairway, as he had all week, and the sphere found the bottom of the tin can. DeChambeau didn’t hit many fairways this week, but he didn’t need to. Clubhead speed and short approach shots conquered the rough, and the Calixan (a blend of Californian and Texan) played the course as if it were just another Fortnite stream on Twitch (where you might find him tonight).

The two, non-player topics to hold our attention all week are absence of fans and distance gains. Would the oohs and ahhhs, and possible interruptions, of galleries have impacted this week’s result? No question. Some golfers feed off the electricity, while others wilt. No doubt a chorus of “You da man” and “Big Bang Theory” would have caused some influence, at some juncture.

Next, what about distance? Remember 1997, when Augusta did its level best to Tiger-proof the golf course? DeChambeau is only 73 inches tall. What happens when a 75- or an 80-inch golfer adds the mass that he did? All facets of the distance conversation amount to one of many discussions to be had. Anyone see how well he putted? How well he chipped and pitched? How well he decoded slopes of greens? The puzzle was there for the taking, and one golfer solved it.

Cheers, kudos, Hogan hats off to the champion!

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Morning 9: Victory, validation, and what’s next for Bryson | Science and sweat | Azinger’s remark | Rory’s take

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Ronald Montesano

Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

19 Comments

Barbara Barrett

Sep 22, 2020 at 1:20 pm

Congratulations to Bryson from a fan since your beginning on the tour. I admire your intellectual approach and your work habits. I wish you continued success!!! Don’t let the jealous comments get you! You are always a gentleman and I’m proud to cheer for you!!!

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Maximillian

Sep 21, 2020 at 1:27 pm

Good for Bryson. It’s not easy to be nicknamed “The Scientist” in a country that stands anti-science. It’s not easy to be considered intellectual in a country that pushes against education and critical thinking. He balances the science with great feel – see his variety of iron shots, short game and putting.

One place he did “dominate” – I thought he was the only player in the field who didn’t let Winged Foot get under his skin.

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Joe

Sep 21, 2020 at 12:33 pm

Can’t watch him play. Totally forced and unnatural. Doesn’t look like he enjoys the game at all.

Reply Report comment
- Rich
  
  Sep 21, 2020 at 1:00 pm
  
  Yeah, all that winning can be a distraction.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mark

Sep 21, 2020 at 11:50 am

Easy to bag a win when you cheat!
Putter anchors against the left forearm – perhaps not strictly illegal but against the spirit of the rules! R&A / USGA – please fix that one in the next Rules update! – eg: No part of any club may extend 6” beyond the wrist.
Also Rules Officials – Why don’t you penalise a guy that regularity takes more than 2 minutes over a putt?
One good thing to come out of the 2020 US OPEN – Now they’ll definitely roll back the ball (at long last!)

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Jim Taylor

Sep 21, 2020 at 8:41 am

As a television spectator, I do not at all miss the galleries, the hospitality tents, the concession stands and the attendant Porta Potties. Wingedfoot is such an amazing course and facility and it presented itself so much better without Bobba Booey and Mashed Potatoes there to muck things up.

I have often been highly critical of the USGA for how they have, at times, set up and managed course conditions throughout their premier tournament, but this time they demonstrated that they capable of doing things right.

Much will be made of Bryson’s bomb and gouge victory only because he physically personifies the bomb and gouge golfer to a greater extent than say a Dustin Johnson or a Roy McIlroy, but the USGA absolutely must restrain itself from interfering through some senseless technological “rollback”. If they don’t, they will render themselves obsolete. “Making Golf Great Again” in this fashion, is a really bad idea.

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William Davis

Sep 21, 2020 at 6:29 am

I found it very uncomfortable viewing – the slowness, the mannerisms, the violence. But that’s just me. It is his life and good luck to him.

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MhtLion

Sep 21, 2020 at 12:40 am

Kudos to BDC for the hard-work, innovative thinking, and the courage to try new ideas! Bryson is definitely not a run of cookie-cutter golfer. I have no doubt BDC will inspire many next-generation golfers.

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Bob

Sep 20, 2020 at 9:02 pm

Terrible writing. Not dominant! Are you smoking tar? He was 6 strokes clear of the field and The ONLY professional golfer on planet earth under par for the tournament. If I heard correctly on radio he picked up 8 strokes on the field today. Basically every other hole Bryson gained a stroke over the next guy. That is not only dominant that is incredible! Amazing! Historic! This was the toughest us open maybe ever with technology and analytics having maxed human performance and Bryson said nah! Hold my protein shake while I take this trophy. If this was tiger in his prime you would have wet the bed and claimed it was the single greatest moment in golf. Get a grip and get better writers. Maybe you should join Faldo In wine and cheese lounge and you can regale each other with the length of brysons wedges. Which are are longer than yours.

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Sep 20, 2020 at 10:37 pm
  
  Hello, Bob. Thank you for checking in. You’re calling the writing “terrible” because of one split hair? That’s quite ephemeral of you.
  
  Did you notice that Bryson was one clear of Matthew when they sawed off the skin on nine with eagles? Also, fawns and faroles aside, Wolff’s performance has no impact on Bryson’s dominance. Dominant is a word reserved for someone who plows a field under from start to finish. Bryson didn’t do that. He chipped away, little by little, and stuck to his plan.
  
  Don’t you agree with me now?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - MhtLion
    
    Sep 21, 2020 at 12:44 am
    
    I agree that BDC was impressive. Dominant? A bit tricky. I think he was dominant in the last 9 holes.
    
    Reply Report comment
Hyperbolic Anabolics

Sep 20, 2020 at 8:51 pm

BAD isn’t natty though. Look at the Hawaiian Islands around that man’s pie hole.

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Sep 20, 2020 at 10:39 pm
  
  Thank you for the geography lesson. Natty Golf on Instagram?
  
  Reply Report comment
jeff

Sep 20, 2020 at 8:10 pm

I smile thinking about all the haters out there having an aneurism today. The bulging eyeballs and spittle coming from their lips as they mutter to themselves and whoever will listen; “It’s just not the way the game was meant to play”

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Sep 20, 2020 at 10:40 pm
  
  I’m confident that Allan Robertson, Babe Didrickson, Joanne Carner, Ted Ray, Laura Davies, Frank Stranahan, Ben Hogan, and many more, made the genteel heeled ones quiver in their cups, as Bryson did today. Golf evolves, humans evolve. I’m with you, bruh.
  
  Reply Report comment
Miamistomp

Sep 20, 2020 at 8:09 pm

how was that not dominant- Wolff looked like a deer caught in the headlightswhen the chips were down and Bryson never deviated from his plan

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Sep 20, 2020 at 10:42 pm
  
  See what I wrote to Bob above. I blended your comment with his in my mind, so your answer is up their, labeled fawns and faroles. Tournament not decided until final nine holes. You can’t call that dominant. Tiger in 2000 was dominant. US Opens are rarely “dominated.”
  
  Reply Report comment
Rich

Sep 20, 2020 at 7:28 pm

Well, the Genius did it again, this time at a major. Not only that, his success can be directly attributed to his modern, innovative thinking. The only player under par for the day, the only player under par for tournament, and 6 shots clear of the field. He absolutely crushed the idea that you can’t bomb-and-gouge your way to a US Open win. And if he can do that to Winged Foot, imagine what’s in store for Augusta in November.

BDC was my inspiration to try single-length irons 4 years ago (Wishon Sterling). I’ve never gone back, and iron play has gone from my weakest area to being as strong as every other part of my game. Thanks, Bryson! (And Tom Wishon, too!)

Reply Report comment
- Ronald Montesano
  
  Sep 20, 2020 at 10:45 pm
  
  I don’t think that he will have the same advantage at Augusta. His advantage was strength out of the rough. Augusta doesn’t have rough like WF.
  
  Also, Augusta’s greens don’t feed like Winged Foot’s did. I bet the members ask Hanse to change the greens to non-feeder. Or, they will ask for hole locations that don’t allow true feeding, as the green jackets do each spring.
  
  He was brilliant, wasn’t he? He bided his time. He didn’t rush. Reminded me of Koepka in his prime.
  
  Reply Report comment

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News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

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2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

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Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

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From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.