Dechambeau blows out US Open competition
By last Saturday evening, the 2020 US Open tournament looked to be a tight two horse race as many golfers struggled against Mamaroneck, New York’s Winged Foot Golf Club. Many notable named missed the cut in this year’s third major tournament, which was supposed to be played last summer, but got postponed due to the on-going pandemic. By Friday evening the course cut line was just +6, which was one of the lowest cut lines this season. Going into Saturday Patrick Reed, 2018 Masters champion, was leading the field at -4 with Bryson Dechambeau at -3, as well as Justin Thomas and Harris English at -2. Rory McElroy had an impressive first day but fell off on the second day as he finished +6 for the day.
Considered one of the most difficult courses in the country, players found themselves at the course’s mercy. Players struggled reading the greens and the rough created nightmares for almost everyone. When asked about the course before the tournament Tiger Woods simply stated, “The golf course is going to be hard,” He stated that he would rank it as one of three hardest courses he’s played in his career. Woods ended up missing the cut after shooting +3 and +7 on consecutive days.
There were some major changes to the leaderboard after the second day. Youngster Matthew Wolff had an incredible day as he shot the best score of the day. He ended up with lead at -5, with Dechambeau in second at -3, and veteran Louis Oosthuizen at -1. Patrick Reed had a disastrous day 3 as he finished the day at +3 shooting an ugly 77. Justin Thomas also fell off as he finished the day at +4. In total out of 61 total players, only seven managed to shoot under par. Well on the final Sunday, out of 61 players, only one finished under par.
Bryson Dechambeau claimed his first career major at age 27, after he shot a -3 (67) to close out the US Open. He was paired with Matthew Wolff who struggled (like everybody else) on the final day in which he had five bogeys, one double bogey, with one eagle and no birdies. Dechambeau was the only player who finished below even par, as well as the only player to shoot below par on Sunday.
Though he only hit 41% of the fairways in regulation (tied for 26th), he did hit 64% of the green in regulation (tied for 4th). He also finished tied for 11th in putting, and it was enough to win by a commanding six strokes as he celebrated his first major championship. When describing his thoughts when his putt sank for par on the 18th Dechambeau said, “I did it! I did it!” He lamented that his putting was immaculate and that the key was his speed control.
Golfers can look forward to the next major championship in November, which is when the postponed Masters Tournament will take place in Augusta, Georgia.