Bryson DeChambeau clinched the John Deere Classic on Sunday with a one shot victory over American Patrick Rodgers. DeChambeau’s 18 under total was thanks to a sizzling final round 65, in which he made seven birdies, including a clutch putt on the last to reach 18 under. The victory earns DeChambeau a spot at this week’s Open Championship, the third major of the year, held at The Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Liverpool.
The John Deere Classic 2017: Science Finally Triumphs for Bryson Dechambeau
DeChambeau had a sparkling Amateur Career at Southern Methodist University. He won the NCAA Championship and the Amateur Championship in the same year, joining an elite group of 4 golfers that had done the same. Dechambeau decided to turn pro after being the low amateur at the 2016 Masters, tying for 21st Place, causing him to give up his exemptions to the U.S. Open and Open Championship that year. DeChambeau finally won on the PGA Tour in his 40th Start on Tour, having had to win on the Web.com Tour to earn his place in the 2017 season, joining the circle of young winners emerging this season.
The Golfing Scientist:
Bryson DeChambeau, known as the golfing scientist, has taken an unorthodox view to the game of golf, to say the least. Physics major at college, DeChambeau had always had an interest in the mechanics of the golf swing and ball speed and was curious as to how he could optimise the process. Most of the professionals out on Tour can’t understand his thinking in the slightest. After some experimentation, DeChambeau settled on the idea of single length irons and a one-plane swing.
All of DeChambeau’s irons are cut to the same length as his 7-iron, with only changes in loft. He has a one-plane swing, which means that the left arm matches the tilt of the shoulders, instead of being above the shoulders. This method has undoubtedly brought DeChambeau success, and demonstrates that first time that such a set up has been successful on the PGA Tour. He takes a different approach to golf, choosing to rely more on science than nature, which makes him stand out, and at the end of the day, works.
The European View:
Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello clinched the Scottish Open title in a playoff over Englishman Callum Shinkwin. Tied after at 13 under par after rounds in regulation, Cabrera-Bello and Shinkwin entered a sudden death playoff, which Cabrera-Bello won after a birdie on the first playoff hole. Under what must have been immense pressure, Cabrera-Bello hit a beautiful wood to less than ten feet. He then two putted for a birdie, whilst Shinkwin could only leave his birdie putt short, handed Cabrera-Bello the victory. Although he missed out on the victory, world number 405 Shinkwin earns a place at The Open Championship this week.
This Week on Tour:
This week golf moves onto its third major of the year, The Open Championship. This year The Open Championship moves to Royal Birkdale in Liverpool, England for the 146th Open Championship. The defending champion is Henrik Stenson, who won in such impressive circumstances last year, beating Phil Mickelson on a captivating back and forth final day. Stenson faces stiff competition if he is to defend his title, with the world’s entire top ten in attendance.
Golfers that have not qualified for the Open will be competing at either the Barbasol Championship on the PGA Tour or the Porsche European Open on the European Tour. Neither defending champion will be in attendance as both have qualified for the Open Championship.
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