Bryson DeChambeau, the golf scientist, collected his fifth major pro tour win today in the past seven months by lapping the field at the 30th playing of the Dubai Desert Classic. 
He started the round with a 1 shot lead over defending champion Haotong Li but was never put under pressure by any competitor as he broke from the gate with birdies on his opening three holes.
Seven strokes was the margin of victory, as DeChambeau posted an 8-under par score of 64 which included 7 birdies, 1 eagle and a lone bogey. He stepped on the collective neck of the competition in a manner reminiscent of vintage Tiger.
Woods is the all-time closer in golf annals but DeChambeau is beginning to build a resume of taking it to the house that is very rare. Of the five tournaments he has held the 54 hole lead, he has closed the deal in four. That’s an 80% clip and the only other of his contemporaries that I think can rival him in this is Brooks Koepka.
World #1 Justin Rose, currently sitting on the 54 hole lead at the Farmer’s Insurance Open at Torrey Pines has a much less robust record of finishing off tournaments. His career record is 7 of 21 in tournaments in which he was the leader/tied leader after 54 holes.
I bet Rosie would give his left nut for a bit of the mojo that DeChambeau brought to the Arabian Peninsula today.
DeChambeau, at only 25, is one of the young American golf studs that has reinvigorated the game in the lull that ensued as Tiger faded from the spotlight. But he has certainly been a black sheep in the young gun crew that’s taken over the game (although he’s not the only one, as Patrick Reed heads that list, but for entirely different reasons).
DeChambeau has a different, unique, stiff armed one-piece swing. His irons are one of a kind, same length shafts, and he has a pet name for each. He wears a Hogan cap. He brings a protractor, slide rule, gyroscope and all manner of unorthodox equipment and analysis to the golf course. And he’s as slow as molasses in January in his pace of play.
In the conformist society of the PGA Tour, DeChambeau is a breath of fresh air. He’s more than that, he’s a whirlwind of doing-it-my way of thinking and playing.
I have to admit I wasn’t a fan early on. I saw his scientific method as another manifestation of the trend toward robotic, cookie cutter, golf swing approach that is the fashion of today’s flat belly players. But I was wrong.
DeChambeau isn’t content or just aiming for a good showing, being in contention, making a good living. He’s out to win every day and he is in a pursuit of perfection that is of a different order than most, if not all, other players.
His mind set might be the most unique attribute he has.
In a post round telephone interview with the talking heads on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive, DeChambeau was asked what effect missing the cut at The PGA had on him and what did he do to turn around his season. His answer is revealing of his totally unorthodox approach.
He said that his rebound was due to “ perseverance, I’ve always worked hard my entire life…I went into my lab and worked hard to get better”.
He went into his lab.
At the beginning of today’s telecast, the irascible Sam Torrance, former European Tour stalwart and victorious Ryder Cup Captain, was on the call for Golf Channel. He said, in reference to DeChambeau, “ I’d like to know what he is thinking but I wouldn’t understand It”.
You are not alone in that sentiment, Sam.
We don’t have to understand, just admire and enjoy it.
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