CHICAGO: Physics major Bryson DeChambeau worked out all the angles to win the John Deere Classic in Illinois on Sunday and earn a spot in next week’s British Open.
DeChambeau, a former amateur champion, sank a 14-foot birdie putt at the final hole to clinch his first PGA Tour victory in style. He stormed home with six back-nine birdies to card 65 and finish at 18-under-par 266 at TPC Deere Run, one stroke ahead of fellow American Patrick Rodgers, who bogeyed the par-five 17th.
DeChambeau, 23, is known for his revolutionary approach to the game. He plays with all of his irons the same length, which he believes is a mechanically superior approach.
“I’ve been working so hard my whole life to try to do this. To have it happen at the John Deere is incredible,” he told CBS television, tears in his eyes as the emotions spilled out.
DeChambeau felt the victory justified his decision to eschew tradition with his scientific approach to the game. “I think that’s the true meaning behind what I try and do,” he said. “I show everybody there’s plenty of ways to do it and I like doing it my way and I feel comfortable doing it my way. Whatever way you want to do it out there, you can do it.”
He was thrilled that his victory includes an invitation to the British Open, which starts on Thursday. “I can’t believe it,” he said.
Chambeau was an after-thought for most of the final round, timing his run perfectly, an excellent two-putt birdie at the par-five 17th bringing him within one stroke of the lead.
He then rifled his approach shot to the par-four 18th, his ball landing just short of the hole before trickling beyond, not as close as he would have liked but not bad under the circumstances. His putt appeared to be sliding off to the right, but it caught the edge of the hole and toppled in, prompting a Tiger Woods-like series of fist pumps as the large gallery went wild. — Reuters
US PGA John Deere Classic final scores
(par-71, USA unles noted):
266 - Bryson DeChambeau 66-65-70-65
267 - Patrick Rodgers 65-64-68-70
268 - Wesley Bryan 66-71-67-64, Rick Lamb 69-70-63-66
269 - Steve Stricker 73-67-65-64, Zach Johnson 65-67-70-67, Jonathan Byrd 70-65-67-67, Scott Stallings 71-64-64-70, Daniel Berger 69-67-63-70
270 - Brian Harman 70-70-63-67, J J Henry 69-64-68-69
271 - Morgan Hoffmann 72-67-68-64, Bud Cauley 72-67-66-66, Daniel Summerhays 66-72-66-67, Cameron Percy (AUS) 69-69-66-67, Chad Campbell 65-68-70-68, Kevin Tway 70-63-69-69, Brian Campbell 69-67-66-69
272 - Chris Stroud 67-70-69-66, Camilo Villegas (COL) 67-69-68-68, Charles Howell 63-69-70-70, Trey Mullinax 66-70-66-70, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 65-70-67-70,Vaughn Taylor 69-68-65-70
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