U.S. Amateur champ DeChambeau headed to Dubai Desert Classic
Bryson DeChambeau
By Allen Etiler for Golfweek
U.S. Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau is
headed in February to compete in the Dubai
Desert Classic, after receiving a sponsor
exemption for the event, according to a Blot Post
report.
The quirky 22-year-old, who left college after his
school, Southern Methodist University, got
slapped with sanctions and the team received a
postseason ban for 2016, finished second in the
Australian Masters last month.
In 2015, DeChambeau became the fifth player in
history to win the NCAA and U.S. Amateur titles in
history, putting himself in good company with
Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and
Ryan Moore.
DeChambeau is expected to remain an Amateur
at least until this year's Masters and U.S. Open,
which he has exemptions to play in after winning
the Amateur. But many are expecting him to turn
pro at some point this year.
“It will be my first visit to Dubai, but I have heard
many good things about the city from fellow
players and know the tournament attracts a very
strong field each year,” said DeChambeau, a
former physics major at SMU. “If you look at the
roll of honors [past winners], it’s so impressive
with some of the greatest players in the game
such as Seve Ballesteors, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods
and Rory McIlroy becoming proud owners of the
giant Arabian coffee pot [winner’s trophy] that
holds special significance to the players.”
DeChambeau will have some stiff competition in
the event, as defending champ Rory McIlroy is
expected to play, and the Dubai Desert Classic is
one of the top European Tour tournaments.