After Bryson DeChambeau triumphed over Rory McIlroy in epic fashion at Pinehurst No. 2, Wagner, now a Golf Channel legend, decided to re-enact the best shot of the day: DeChambeau’s third from the sand on 18.
During the tournament, DeChambeau faced a 55-yard shot from the bunker, a daunting shot often regarded as the most difficult in professional golf. DeChambeau proceeded to execute it perfectly with a 55-degree wedge, stuffing his approach to four feet. He then made the putt for par, thus clinching his second U.S. Open title.
About two hours later, after DeChambeau paraded around Pinehurst No. 2, embracing all the fans, Wagner picked that shot for his famous demonstration.
Mind you, Wagner has become a golf celebrity in recent months simply because of these short segments. Since The Players Championship in March, Wagner, on live television, has: hummed balls into the side of a hill, roped a punch shot off a tree, climbed into the woods to asses a Xander Schauffele ruling, twice got the yips on air, and then, this week, he walked through why Tony Finau and Ludvig Åberg collapsed on the 13th hole.
But nothing could top what he did on Sunday.
After rocketing an attempt over the green, DeChambeau pulled up to the spot where he played his now-famous shot and embraced Wagner. Then, DeChambeau told Wagner to hit another one, with the champion as a witness. He also provided some insight on how to play the shot.
With a 50-degree wedge in hand, Wagner hit a perfect chunk and run. His ball landed on the green and rolled towards the cup, just as DeChambeau’s did in regulation.
But Wagner’s ball stopped even closer than DeChambeau’s, which elicited a massive celebration from the now-reigning U.S. Open champion and Golf Channel’s newest, and now, biggest star.
Considering Wagner’s trials and tribulations on live television this year, he celebrated this shot with authority. DeChambeau even handed him the trophy, which Wagner jokingly accepted with a big smile on his face.
Live From the U.S. Open has always been the go-to show for golf fans before, during, and after major championships, but Wagner’s presence has made that even more so.
So congratulations on winning the 124th U.S. Open, Johnson Wagner. You deserve it.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThroughfor more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
Somehow, someway, Lilia Vu is an LPGA winner again.
Vu, the second-best player in the world behind Nelly Korda, has battled a back injury for most of the season. She even missed the U.S. Women’s Open two weeks ago, and had to withdraw from the Chevron Championship in April because of her back. But Vu overcame that ailment—and an eight-shot deficit on Sunday—to win the Meijer LPGA Classic in thrilling fashion.
Vu carded a 7-under 65 to climb up the leaderboard on Sunday, as she finished at 16-under-par, putting her in a tie with Lexi Thompson and Grace Kim after 72 holes. The trio needed three holes to determine the winner, but in the end, Vu made a birdie putt on the third playoff hole to seal the deal.
“I wasn’t thinking about winning,” Vu said.
“This was the one day I was playing really well. Felt really good with my swing. Coming back from an injury, I was a little up in the air, not knowing my swing, and I felt like I didn’t know where my arms were if I wasn’t tight. I was just trying to make contact today. That’s it.”
Like Vu, Thompson came from behind to get into the playoff. She fired a 4-under 68 on Sunday, while Kim, the 54-hole leader, carded a 1-over 73 on Sunday to fall back to the field.
After all three ladies made birdies on the first two extra holes, they walked over to the par-5 4th. After each player found the green in regulation, Thompson and Kim missed their putts to extend the playoff while Vu sank her birdie putt for the win.
“I think my mindset when it comes to putting is pretty simple: It goes in, or it doesn’t,” Vu said.
“I don’t put a lot of pressure on it. That relieves the pressure for me, and I go for it.”
Vu won her first LPGA win in Thailand in February 2023 from six shots back, so she has experience coming from behind.
“I felt like my first win I had blinders on,” Vu said.
“In the final round, I was focused on making birdies. I felt like that today. I felt like I left some out there, too. So once I got the opportunity for the playoff, I got to the box, and my caddie said, ‘There is nothing to lose now.’ We just went out there and played.”
Vu called this one of her most meaningful wins because she did not know if she could ever play golf pain-free again.
But clearly, she can.
Now, Vu has her fifth career LPGA victory as she eyes another major championship at next week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Hopefully, her back holds up for her at Sahalee.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThroughfor more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
Welcome to Playing Through’s new morning ritual — Golf Talk Today.
Each morning will feature a Golf Talk Today, where the crew will discuss various elements throughout the PGA Tour, LPGA, LIV Golf, and more.
It’s Championship Sunday at the 124th U.S. Open.
Bryson DeChambeau leads by three shots ahead of the final 18 holes. His 3-under 67 was impressive to watch on Saturday. However, it was not his physical golf game that was the most intriguing; it was how he ultimately won over the crowd. They chanted USA-USA-USA like it was the Ryder Cup throughout his round on Saturday.
He may play for LIV Golf, but the fans love DeChambeau.
So brew a pot of coffee, grab some breakfast, and settle in as we discuss why DeChambeau is excellent for the game of golf.
Bryson DeChambeau’s U.S. Open performance is good for golf
People will likely always love or hate DeChambeau. Many still feel he is the same guy from a few years ago when he won his first U.S. Open in 2020. However, he is not the same guy — physically or mentally.
He brings such excitement to the event. DeChambeau interacts with the crowd. The 30-year-old stopped mid-round and signed a kid’s flag for wearing a flat cap.
Bryson Dechambeau taking the time in the middle of his round to sign an autograph for a kid wearing the same hat that he used to wear.
DeChambeau has changed his outlook on the fans, and it has shown.
Golf needs a big personality like DeChambeau. His quirky, nerdy, and scientific approach to the game is who he is— it is not a front. Maybe since the casual golf fan only sees him four times a year, it is not as off-putting as it used to be.
Those who follow him know his social media content is personable and fun to watch. He shares his personality and who he is.
DeChambeau has blossomed into this guy that so many want to watch at the majors.
I don’t know if it’s a conscious effort, if he’s getting good advice, or if he’s merely and organically just having more fun — but Bryson put on a masterclass today from start to finish when it comes to winning the crowd. https://t.co/6F84Nj1Oe2
Growing the game is what so many in professional golf want to achieve, and DeChambeau does that.
The USA-USA-USA chants turned off some people on Saturday, but it felt like such a Ryder Cup atmosphere at a major championship. It is special. Love or hate him, the exposure DeChambeau brings to golf is far more important than who he plays for.
ICYMI: Top stories from the U.S. Open
Check out these stories:
U.S. Open Day 3 Winners, Losers: Bryson DeChambeau dominates, can Rory McIlroy win?
Tony Finau, Ludvig Åberg collapse on 13, kiss U.S. Open chances goodbye
Rory McIlroy feeling confident despite Bryson DeChambeau’s sizable U.S. Open lead
Scottie Scheffler’s putter abandons him, goes wrong way on U.S. Open leaderboard
PGA Tour, LIV Golf fans obsess over Cameron Smith’s unconditional polo at U.S. Open=
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.
Pinehurst No. 2 has once again proven itself worthy of a terrific U.S. Open venue. It has tested the best players in the world, punishing poor shots while rewarding good ones.
Hence, only eight players sit in red figures after 54 holes, with Bryson DeChambeau leading the pace at 7-under. He holds a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy, Matthieu Pavon, and Patrick Cantlay as he eyes his second major. DeChambeau won the U.S. Open at Winged Foot in September 2020 during the pandemic.
So after another fun day at Pinehurst, here are the winners and losers from North Carolina:
Winners:
Bryson DeChambeau’s Game
Bryson DeChambeau entertained the golf world all day on Saturday. His clutch putts, his 350-yard drives, his spectacular shot from the sand on the 13th hole, and his tremendous approach on the 14th hole all added up to a 3-under 67.
Diabolical approach.
Brandel made a great point about the angles here too. Bryson had nothing, and yet went right at it. A confident, aggressive mindset is a dangerous one and it’s paying off!
He looks like one of the best golfers in the world, relying on his power and short-game finesse to take a commanding lead going into Sunday. He did stumble on the 16th hole, where he made a double bogey, but that did not phase DeChambeau at all. He bounced back with a birdie on the 17th hole, thanks to an ultra-aggressive line he took off the tee.
But every hole DeChambeau plays is must-watch television, whether he birdies or bogies. He is the most entertaining golfer on the planet, which explains why his popularity has skyrocketed.
Ultimately, if he shoots another round in the 60s on Sunday, the U.S. Open is his.
DeChambeau’s Balls
Bryson DeChambeau apparently puts his golf balls in Epsom salt before every round. A reporter asked him about it after his round, and DeChambeau’s response about his balls is priceless:
“Thanks for the salty balls question. I appreciate that. Yeah, I put my golf balls in Epsom salt. I’m lucky enough that Connor, my manager, does that now. I don’t have to do it. But essentially, we float golf balls in a solution to make sure that the golf ball is not out of balance,” DeChambeau explained.
“There was a big thing back in the day where golf balls are out of balance, and it’s just because of the manufacturing process. There’s always going to be an error, especially when it’s a sphere, and there are dimples on the edges. You can’t perfectly get it in the center. So what I’m doing is finding pretty much the out-of-balanceness of it, how much out of balance it is. Heavy slide floats to the bottom, and then we mark the top with a dot to make sure it’s always rolling over itself.”
To quote CBS Sports reporter Kyle Porter’s mantra, “Normal Sport.”
Can Rory McIlroy do it?
Rory McIlroy’s 10-year major drought has been well documented. But what amazes me about McIlroy, at least this time, is that he is back in the mix for a sixth straight U.S. Open. Despite the outside fray with LIV Golf, his dreams of a world tour, and most importantly, the uneasiness of his family life surrounding a potential divorce, McIlroy still has a chance to win a second U.S. Open title.
Rory McIlroy shakes hands with Tony Finau after their third round at the 2024 U.S. Open.Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
He shot a 1-under 69 on Saturday despite making two late bogies that stalled his momentum. And yet, anything can happen on this golf course, and McIlroy knows that. He also has plenty of confidence going into round four. Plus, he is hitting his driver better than anyone, so if he can clean up his irons a tad, he should have a shot at the end.
All of this gives McIlroy—and golf fans everywhere—hope, and hope is an amazing drug.
Losers:
Tony Finau and Ludvig Åberg
The 13th hole all but ended their chances, as Tony Finau and Ludvig Åberg made triple bogies on this short par-4.
Each golfer played a game of ‘ping-pong,’ chipping back and forth across the green, which took them out of contention. Even if each player walked away with a bogey, they would still have an outside shot at winning their first major title on Sunday. But a triple bogey is too damaging of a score to overcome. Finau now sits six shots back of Dechambeau while Åberg, the 36-hole leader, is now five.
Because of this, Johnson Wagner of the Golf Channel analyzed this hole on ‘Live From the U.S. Open’ after the round:
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler played much better on Saturday.
But his third round was a day filled with ‘What-ifs?’ Those question marks mainly stemmed from his putter, as Scheffler could not get a putt to drop all day. He gave himself plenty of chances to climb the leaderboard, but his flat stick kept him at bay. As such, the World No. 1 settled for a 1-over 71, but he could have easily shot a score in the mid-60s.
Scottie Scheffler during the third round.Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images
Pace of Play
My god. The final two groups played at a snail’s pace, with Patrick Cantlay and Bryson DeChambeau as the main culprits. Cantlay is notoriously slow and has been for quite some time. Just ask Brooks Koepka.
Similarly, DeChambeau, who needed to get stretched out on the 11th hole, loves to take his time. Given his scientific and mathematical approach to the game, DeChambeau has to dissect every single shot he plays, even putts from inside of 18 inches.
As such, the United States Golf Association (USGA) should have levied a penalty. They supposedly provided a warning to DeChambeau and Åberg, who, for what it’s worth, flies around a golf course, but a steeper penalty should have been assessed. Pace of play is a problem, especially considering that DeChambeau’s group—the final pairing—finished nearly 45 minutes after McIlroy’s, who played in the third to last group.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThroughfor more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
For the first time in the history of the Men’s College World Series, the opening two games ended in walk-off fashion. Vance Honeycutt’s single in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday powered UNC to a 3-2 win over Virginia, and in the nightcap, Tennessee rallied in the bottom of the ninth to overcome a three-run deficit to defeat Florida State 12-11.
If you thought that meant that Saturday’s afternoon tilt between NC State and Kentucky would not end similarly, you thought wrong.
The Wildcats and the Wolfpack could not settle things in nine innings, and the game advanced to the tenth with the score knotted at 4-4. Kentucky set NC State out in order in the top of the tenth, thanks in large part to this stunning defensive play from center fielder Ty Crittenberger:
Kentucky catcher Devin Burkes led off the bottom of the tenth with a walk, putting the potential winning run on base to start the frame. After designated hitter Nick Lopez flew out to center, Burkes tried to get into scoring position via a stolen base. But Wolfpack catcher Jacob Cozart — a potential first-round selection next month — threw a strike down to second to cut down Burkes.
But Mitchell Daly was still at the plate, even if there were two outs.
He would not make a third:
Daly turned on a hanging breaking ball, drilling it deep to left field and over the wall for a walk-off home run, the third walk-off victory in three games in Omaha. Final score: Kentucky 5, NC State 4.
Given how these games have started in Omaha, you might want to tune in tonight when Florida takes on Texas A&M.
Collin Morikawa could not miss on Saturday, which explains why he posted one of the best rounds of the championship.
He carded a bogey-free 4-under 66, a round in which “everything worked well” for the two-time major champion. But most importantly, Morikawa climbed from 4-over to even par, setting himself up for a possible come-from-behind triumph at Pinehurst No. 2 on Sunday.
“I was trying to get to even,” Morikawa said after his third round at the U.S. Open.
“You can’t be aggressive out here, but I’m very happy.”
Morikawa did not miss a putt inside of 10 feet on Saturday, a big reason why he did not drop a shot all day. Instead, he made four birdies, three of which came on the back nine. His first birdie of the day came right out of the gate on the opening hole.
“Made up and downs, putted a lot from off the fringe. Just made the putts that I needed to,” Morikawa explained.
“[On Friday], I think I missed everything that I could have made. The first day was kind of a little bit of both. So it was nice to see putts go in. Just kind of build that, hopefully, for [Sunday].”
The former California Golden Bear gained nearly five strokes with the putter on Saturday, which ranks first in the field by a wide margin.
“I was just making sure I stuck with everything that we’ve been working on,” Morikawa said of his putting.
Collin Morikawa hits his tee shot on the 18th hole.Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
“It was nice to see the first one go in and build off that.”
His opening birdie came from 10 feet out—a distance that always provides a spark in momentum early in a round. Another putt from 11 feet at the 2nd hole, this time for par, also dropped. He wound up making two more par saves at the 4th and 6th holes to keep his scorecard clean early.
“My 4-under could have easily been the other way,” Morikawa said.
“When you play really smart golf out here, I wouldn’t say it’s rewarding, but you have to be able to put it in the right spots and take advantage when you do. I made the putts that I needed to. Made up and downs. Made everything essentially. That’s the only way you’re going to score out here.”
Now Morikawa will rest up for Sunday’s final round, when he will go off much later in the day than 10:39 a.m. That, of course, is when he began his third round, nine shots off the pace. But after his remarkable 66, Morikawa walked off the golf course five shots back of 36-hole leader Ludvig Åberg, and given the difficulty of Pinehurst No. 2, he could be closer to the lead by day’s end.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThroughfor more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
Despite the stars aligning regarding the hot weather, favorable tee times, and his history at Pinehurst No. 2, Tiger Woods has missed the cut at the 2024 U.S. Open.
He shot a 3-over 73 on Friday, one day after signing for a 4-over 74. The 15-time major winner made his only birdie of the day at the par-4 4th, but then made four bogies over his next 14 holes to miss the cut by two.
“Well, it was probably the highest score I could have possibly shot today,” Woods assessed after.
“I hit a lot of good shots that just didn’t quite go my way, or I hit good putts, and then I put myself in a couple of bad spots with some bad lag putts. But again, as I said, it was probably the highest score I could have shot today.”
Woods admitted to feeling agitated, not because of his ailments but due to his results.
“It is frustrating because I’m not here to have a chance to win on the weekend,” Woods said.
Tiger Woods reacts to his missed birdie putt on 15.Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
“Granted, my ball-striking and felt like my putting was good enough to be in contention, and I’m not.”
Despite what Woods said, he ranked 131st in strokes gained approach and 106th in strokes gained putting. He hit the ball well off the tee but did not strike enough solid iron shots to make the weekend. He also missed plenty of opportunities, with none hurting more than his birdie attempt on the par-3 15th, which lipped out at the end.
“15 hurt. That was a sweet little 7-iron in there and a good putt, high-side lip. If I make that putt, it flips the momentum, and I’m looking pretty good,” Woods said.
“Instead, I’m on the wrong side of the cut line and having to do something good on the last three holes, which I end up hitting a sweet shot out of the trouble on 16, and I thought I holed my bunker shot at 17.”
Alas, it was not meant to be for Woods, who also laid out his plans for the rest of the 2024 season.
“I’ve only got one more tournament this season,” Woods added.
“Even if I win the British Open, I don’t think I’ll be in the Playoffs. Just one more event and then I’ll come back whenever I come back.”
Woods made his way to the U.S. Open this week via a special invitation. The United States Golf Association (USGA) created a special exemption for Woods, who has won nine USGA championships in his career: three U.S. Junior Amateurs, three U.S. Amateurs, and three U.S. Opens. He won his Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateurs over six straight years in the 1990s, perhaps his most underrated accomplishment.
Whether or not he will tee it up in a USGA championship in the future remains to be seen.
“As far as my last Open Championship or U.S. Open Championship, I don’t know what that is,” Woods added.
“It may or may not be.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThroughfor more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
The Boston Celtics are back in the Finals, making a return trip after losing to the Golden State Warriors back in 2022. For the bulk of the season the Celtics were the class of the Eastern Conference, finishing with a 64-18 record — the best in the NBA — and 14 games ahead of the New York Knicks in the East.
That led many to wonder if the Celtics would be ready for the playoff run, and to many neutral observers, Boston’s path to the Finals was a little easier than expected. Boston squared off with the Miami Heat in the first round, but without Jimmy Butler who was lost with an MCL sprain, Miami struggled against Boston.
Then came the Cleveland Cavaliers, who began the series against the Celtics without rim protector Jarrett Allen, who missed the entire series with broken ribs. Add in a knee injury for Donovan Mitchell and you have a 4-1 series win for Boston, who moved on to face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Who were without Tyrese Haliburton for the final two games of that series, as the guard entered the Conference Finals with a groin injury that hampered him in the first two games, and saw him shut down for the final two.
Now they’ll take on the Dallas Mavericks, who stormed to the NBA Finals thanks to a tremendous playoff run from Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić. Dončić might be playing the best basketball on the planet right now, and in our ranking of the top 15 players in this series, he was a fairly easy choice for the top spot. He has averaged almost a triple-double in the playoffs, averaging 28.8 ppg, 9.6 rpg, and 8.8 apg over Dallas’ 17 postseason games. With him, the Mavericks have the best player left standing, even if he is doing it on just one healthy leg as he deals with a knee sprain.
They also could pose some problems for the Celtics, given their length and athleticism. As outlined above Boston has seen a somewhat easier path to the Finals, but that will change starting Thursday night. Around Dončić and Irving the Mavericks have players who can frustrate the Boston offense, including P.J. Washington and Derrick Jones Jr.
Washington is big with a massive wingspan, and expect to see him on Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum for most of the series. Jones Jr. is one of the better athletes in the league, who can pose problems both near the rim and around the arc.
Down low Dallas can turn to the combination of Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. The rookie Lively is 7’1, has a massive wingspan, and has been Dallas’ third best player on this run. Gafford is another springy rim protector who can disrupt shots and harrass Boston’s scorers near the tin.
Those players will need to step up if Dallas has a shot at pulling this off, but in the NBA Finals, anything can happen.
It all gets started this Thursday. Here is how to watch.
2024 NBA Finals Schedule
Game 1: Boston 107, Dallas 89 (Boston leads series 1-0)
Game 2: Boston 105, Dallas 98 (Boston leads series 2-0)
Game 3: Boston 106, Mavericks 99 (Boston leads series 3-0)
Game 4: Dallas 122, Boston 84 (Boston leads series 3-1)
Game 5: Dallas at Boston | Monday, June 17 | 8:30 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN+
Game 6: Boston at Dallas | Thursday, June 20 | 8:30 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN+*
Game 7: Dallas at Boston | Sunday, June 23 | 8:00 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN+*
One of the emerging niches in professional golf is fashion. What these PGA Tour and LIV Golf players wear continues to spark intense discussions on social media.
Fashion is a subjective topic with no right answer. Many dislike what Jason Day and Viktor Hovland wear, but many fans love their trendy style. Those two guys take bigger risks, but many tour players look good in traditional-style garments.
How it fits on the body is a main component of a good outfit. Other things we looked at when ranking are coloring, attention to detail, and risk level.
This week, the best players in the world are at Pinehurst No. 2 for the 124th U.S. Open.
Major championships are also a great time to unveil new lines or do something wild, which many golfers choose to do.
Thursday and Friday showed some great outfits from the field, but these are the five best we saw from the players.
5. Tiger Woods
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Tiger Woods is fifth on this list for his Thursday outfit. That pink and white striped polo is one of the best he has worn since his new clothing line, Sun Day Red, launched. Pairing it with a gray pant pulls it together. White shoes and hats are a great way to keep a summer vibe, and the Big Cat pulled this look off well.
His navy look on Friday was sharp as well. He gives such a traditional vibe, but at the same time, it looks trendy.
Ranking: 9/10
4. Viktor Hovland
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Viktor Hovland is one of many players who got chewed up and spit out by Pinehurst No. 2, but his Thursday outfit was perfect.
What a cool geometric polo! The navy matches the shoes and stripes. A white hat keeps the focus on the polo, as it should. Not to mention, the bottom of the Puma shoes matches the lighter blue on his shirt, which completes the look.
He will not likely be around for the weekend, but this pairing was so good it would have been a crime not to put on this list.
Ranking: 9/10
3. Harris English
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
A name that does not usually land on the golf fashion pages earned his spot at the U.S. Open. Harris English’s Thursday and Friday and looks were good enough to land on the list, but the green pants with the light blue striped polo have such a cool vibe.
He is finally incorporating color into his wardrobe, which looks fantastic. Those green pants are incredible.
Rating: 9.5/10
2. Ludvig Åberg
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Some may not like this rating, with Ludvig Åberg in second on this list, but he gave two days of clean outfits. The peach polo with the navy pants on Friday was our favorite because it’s a great color combo.
White hats seem on trend this week, but the blue rope pulls it all together. It is traditional but fits well and looks fantastic on his skin tone.
Rating: 9.8/10
1. Bryson DeChambeau
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Bryson DeChambeau has had the best outfits so far at the U.S. Open. His navy polo with gray pants is fantastic, and his Crusher GC logo did not overtake the outfit, either.
Since he went to LIV Golf, DeChambeau’s fashion has elevated to another level. Friday’s polo, with the navy and white stripes, also looked great. He has clearly gotten his color chart done because all of the clothes he wears are ideal for his skin tone.
Will a LIV Golf player take home the best dressed of the week on Sunday, or will one of the PGA Tour guys shock the fashion lovers this weekend?
Rating: 10/10
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.
Bryson DeChambeau shot an impressive 3-under 67 to begin the 124th U.S. Open. He is one of 15 players who shot under par on Thursday, but that did not stop him from being completely authentic after his round.
Only DeChambeau could pick an immaculate adjective like this when discussing Pinehurst No. 2:
“It’s really diabolical out there,” DeChambeau said.
“Those greens, oh, my gosh, they can get away from you.”
It was a solid day for DeChambeau, who made four birdies and a bogey on his 16th hole, the par-4 7th.
DeChambeau leads the field in strokes gained off the tee, gaining 2.85 on the field. He is also eighth in strokes gained around the greens, picking up 2.17 on his fellow competitors.
In all, the 2020 U.S. Open champion hit 15-of-18 greens and 12-of-14 fairways.
He is right in the mix and just two shots behind leaders Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay.
A birdie on 13 got his day started, but his momentum surged when he chipped in for a birdie on the 18th, his ninth hole.
His last two birdies came at the 3rd and 4th—both par-4s—before a mistake at 7 cost him his bogey-free round. He seemed pleased with his performance, but it was not a leisurely day on the course.
“I would say from a mental exhaustion perspective, this was probably the most difficult that I’ve had in a long, long, long time,” he said.
“I can’t remember the last time I mentally exerted myself that hard to focus on hitting fatter parts of the green instead of going for flags. I did that quite nicely until the last few holes.”
He knows how to recoup for Friday’s round, though, mentally and physically.
“Eat a lot. Get a lot of carbs and food in me, good protein, just recover tonight,” DeChambeau said of what he needs to do to prepare for round two.
“I have to get up early and go back at it in the morning. Recovery is going to be key. I’m going to go hit a couple of balls and make sure it’s all dialed in and ready for tomorrow. I do a lot of breathing techniques. It’s almost like nature now. So, I’ve got my techniques that I work on. Make sure my brain is in a good spot, get some good treatment, and really focus on the positives of the day.”
Everyone in the field seems to have some kind of strategy this week—breathing techniques are just one part of DeChambeau’s unique approach to the game.
But the LIV golf star’s recuperation period will be short as he, Viktor Hovland, and Max Homa will begin their second rounds on Friday at 7:40 a.m. ET.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25493156/2157707896.jpg "U.S. Open Day 3 Winners, Losers: Bryson DeChambeau dominates u,s,open,day,winners,losers,bryson,dechambeau,dominates,sbnation,com,front-page,golf,us-open-golf,golf-majors,golf-pga-tour,golf-opinions,liv-golf")
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25492029/2157498836.jpg "U.S. Open: 5 best outfits we love at Pinehurst No. 2 u,s,open,best,outfits,we,love,at,pinehurst,no,sbnation,com,golf,us-open-golf,golf-majors,golf-pga-tour,golf-opinions")
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25492050/2157597217.jpg "U.S. Open: 5 best outfits we love at Pinehurst No. 2 u,s,open,best,outfits,we,love,at,pinehurst,no,sbnation,com,golf,us-open-golf,golf-majors,golf-pga-tour,golf-opinions")
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25492053/2157608696.jpg "U.S. Open: 5 best outfits we love at Pinehurst No. 2 u,s,open,best,outfits,we,love,at,pinehurst,no,sbnation,com,golf,us-open-golf,golf-majors,golf-pga-tour,golf-opinions")
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25492035/2157492450.jpg "U.S. Open: 5 best outfits we love at Pinehurst No. 2 u,s,open,best,outfits,we,love,at,pinehurst,no,sbnation,com,golf,us-open-golf,golf-majors,golf-pga-tour,golf-opinions")