Bryson DeChambeau is now a two-time U.S. Open champion as he conquered Pinehurst No. 2 in epic fashion on Sunday.
DeChambeau hit an incredible 55-yard bunker shot that rolled to three feet on the 18th hole. He then made his par putt just like Payne Stewart famously did 25 years ago. That final putt put the finishing touches on a 1-over 71, which had him finishing at 6-under-par, one stroke ahead of Rory McIlroy.
When DeChambeau needed his best, he provided it in the biggest moment. That bunker shot may go down as one of the greatest in golf history, given the difficulty and the circumstances. If he had not executed that shot the way he did, there could have been a playoff, at least.
Nevertheless, the LIV Golf captain won the crowd over this week at Pinehurst.
Chants of USA-USA-USA and De-Cham-beau, De-Cham-beau, De-Cham-beau whistled across the course. The fans loved him, and DeChambeau’s image change seems complete.
After he won, social media messages flourished. Fans praised the two-time U.S. Open winner for his performance on the course and for his remarkable display of talent.
All DeChambeau wants to do is grow golf.
These reactions to his winning the U.S. Open showed he is already achieving that goal:
Ludicrous scenes. Bryson DeChambeau is running at a hundred miles an hour around Pinehurst, giving every fan present a chance to touch the US Open trophy.
This is why major championship golf is one of the few things I love as much now as when I was a boy. Pure folklore. pic.twitter.com/YQEcZuccHi
— Nick Metcalfe (@Nick_Metcalfe) June 16, 2024
This video of him running around with the U.S. Open trophy so the crowd could touch it is priceless. He told fans to try and touch it, so DeChambeau attempted to make it happen. Not everyone gets to feel the U.S. Open trophy, but DeChambeau may not have won without this crowd.
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac said it perfectly, “Such amazing golf, drama and entertainment! This is what golf needs.”
This sport needs a personality like DeChambeau.
Wow what an incredible US Open! Congratulations to Bryson Dechambeau! Such amazing golf, drama and entertainment! This is what golf needs
— Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) June 16, 2024
I can’t believe I’m a Bryson DeChambeau fan now. Love the energy, crowd engagement, and the 180 turn in attitude. The right guy won today.… however, I will not be getting single length clubs.
— Nate Boyer (@NateBoyer37) June 16, 2024
ESPN’s Jeff Darlington also made a good point about DeChambeau—he is a needle mover. People flock to him and get excited when the LIV Golf star does well.
Meanwhile, if he wasn’t already, Bryson DeChambeau sure seems to be have become this weekend what golf is continually seeking: A needle mover.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) June 16, 2024
Even Brooks Koepka congratulated his fellow LIV Golf member.
DeChambeau now has two U.S. Open’s—only the 23rd player in history to achieve this, and he did so dramatically. Better yet, he joins Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods in winning a U.S. Amateur title and multiple U.S. Opens. That’s pretty good company.
The third major of the year did not disappoint, and much like the PGA Championship, DeChambeau continues to show how incredible golf can be.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
