Bryson DeChambeau
ABU DHABI, UAE (Jan. 24, 2016) -- Bryson DeChambeau had a disappointinting inward nine of 4-over 41 when play in the suspended third round resumed. The amateur from Clovis, California found out the hard way what a 5-over nine will do to your position on a leaderboard with some of the best golfers in the world playing.
DeChambeau played his final round in even par to end the tournament at 2-under and inside the top 60. One hole he would like back -- the water guarded 12th, a par three where he made double bogey twice on Sunday (ending his third round and during his final round). A bright ending -- the self-proclaimed scientist took three shots off his score on the 17th (going from double to birdie) and made par on the last.
After all of the rain delays and adjusting to time zone changes, and international travel, DeChambeau will no doubt deem this a learning experience.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
January 23, 2016 -- After finishing his second round earlier in the morning, Bryson DeChambeau was paired Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan in the final grouping. He made two bogeys and a birdie which dropped him to 7-under par, currently three shots back of a large group of co-leaders including Rickie Fowler, McIlroy, and Ian Poulter.
In probably the highest profile pairing of his career, DeChambeau continues to raise eyebrows with his Hogan cap and the fact his irons are cut all to the same size has certainly piqued interest with many players, including his playing partner Rory.
“I was having a little go with his clubs this morning,” the Northern Irishman said. “He doesn’t know that. It’s obviously a technique that’s all his own and he’s got a pretty interesting background. He’s a great player and playing well. More than that I don’t really know, apart from he’s much smarter than I am.”
YESETERDAY'S STORY
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (Jan. 22, 2016) --With play suspended due to darkness, Bryson Dechambeau now trails Andy Sullivan by a shot. Sullivan finished his round, posting his second-straight 67 to get to 10-under.
A lengthy fog delay forced play to be suspended due to darkness; DeChambeau and others left on the course will finish their rounds Saturday morning. Did the long delay bother him? He started birdie-par-birdie to briefly get to 10-under, so it doesn't seem so.
ROUND ONE COVERAGE: DECHAMBEAU IN SOLO LEAD AFTER AMAZING 64
California amateur golfer Bryson DeChambeau posted 8-under 64 on Thursday to take the round one lead at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Coming off a whirlwind week of practice in Los Angeles that included casual rounds with celebrities Mark Wahlberg (Riviera) and Jusrin Timberlake (Lakeside), DeChambeau put away the selfie cam and got serious about making birdies.
He posted an opening nine of 32 and matched that number on the back nine (closing with a two putt birdie) to take a 1-shot lead over Henrik Stenson. World No. 2 Rory McIlroy is right there (66) and world No. 1 Jordan Spieth, playing in a marquee group with McIlroy and Rickie Fowler, shot 68.
DeChambeau has done well with his pro event sponsor exemptions (and 2015 U.S. Open berth). He tied for second at last year’s Australian Masters. And after seven pro events, he's obviously comfortable in his own skin, and answering questions about his strange equipment setup.
“Why be nervous,” DeChambeau told The Golf Channel when asked if his position atop such a deep leaderboard was at all disconcerting. “If I hit a bad shot it’s just a chance to show my grace and my character.”
DeChambeau, who won last year’s U.S. Amateur and was the NCAA individual champion, plans to play all three desert swing events, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Masters as an amateur before turning pro the week of the RBC Heritage.