Bryson DeChambeau is surviving on a heavy diet of adrenaline and fan support. A few years back, his 6000-calorie diet turned out to be an overkill. Is he pushing too far this time? DeChanmbeau was on an inter-state Tour with the 18-inch sterling silver trophy he won on Sunday.
And there is no stopping him. Or his fans. The lined-up fairways, and the pumped-up galleries—a hitherto rare sight on LIV Golf—is a new feeling for the two-time major champion. But DeChambeau has it figured out. He knows he can’t build a legacy solely on the popularity or traffic on his YouTube channel.
Quizzed on his balancing act, the LIV Golfer said, “Yeah, just being able to compartmentalize, focus on the golf at hand, and execute to the best of my ability.” Execution is the tricky part, however.
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Bryson DeChambeau had a few chances for eagles on Saturday. The 5-under could’ve been 8-under or, as the 30-year-old said, he could’ve shot a Jon Rahm round. The reigning U.S. Open champion drove the green on 414-yard par-4 8th. But starting his round on the 2nd, he carded two bogeys on the 200-yard 3rd and the 195-yard 5th.
The LIV party hole is an absolute scene in Nashville. Fans chanting Bryson DeChambeau’s name, Greg Norman tending the flag for him, then he flags it and will have a putt to tie the lead! Listen to that atmosphere. Who’d have expected this 2 year ago!! pic.twitter.com/qav2DCrdxL
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) June 22, 2024
DeChambeau was leaning on fans to lift him. The 30-year-old added, “When things don’t go my way, try to feed off the crowd a little bit to get me pumped up again, and if I hit a great shot, then interact with the fans as much as possible.” Yesterday, DeChambeau bogeyed the 6th and then rolled four consecutive birdies. Today, the bogey at the par-3 5th was his second and last of the round. He went 4-under par in the final seven holes.
On the party hole, Bryson DeChambeau was the man of the hour. After driving his tee shot to the green—Greg Norman was holding the pin and he had no idea—he went around high-fiving the fans. Asked how he did it, the Crushers skipper laughed; he blacked out.
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“Again, my brain is not fully functioning so I’m not able to speak coherently all the time. But the fans have been fantastic. They’ve been brilliant. Very gracious to have them out there supporting me like that,” DeChambeau added. Again, the LIV Golfer has no delusion of unconditional fan support. The goal is to stay in contention, feed off the grandstand energy, and bombard the course.
Bryson DeChambeau unveils his Sunday strategy
Bryson DeChambeau wasn’t at his best at Pinehurst No. 2 last Sunday. His errant tee shots handed the lead to Rory McIlroy. On any other day, it could’ve been worse. Like the Masters, where he was all but out of contention in the final round. But remaining close to the top—he is within four shots of the lead in Nashville–kicks in the extra energy to bring it home.
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The nine-time PGA Tour winner said, “I think being in contention will help give me that adrenaline spike. I don’t know how much more adrenaline I have, but what I have will be used tomorrow, and hopefully that fuels me to get off to a hot start and give me a good chance for tomorrow on the back nine.”
Interestingly, Bryson DeChambeau said he had received texts from non-LIV players. Some he didn’t expect, but was glad nonetheless. It appears a lot of folks from the golf community are rooting for the man of 6’1” and it’s not just the fans.