Barstool Bump Gives Bryson DeChambeau Back-To-Back Wins
I wrote Barstool Bump here because it gets more clicks but really it’s a Riggsy Bump. Everybody knows that. I met Bryson DeChambeau for the first time on the range at the PGA Championship. He’d been grinding all day and was just wrapping up for about 15 minutes when Producer Logan and I stumbled upon him. We watched the scientist at work then caught up with him after. Nice guy, approaches the game differently, and irks Trent and Frankie so I love him.
Here are his 6 starts and results before chatting with me.
Here are our 2 starts and results since.
Hmmmm. Bryson, you’re welcome buddy (I’m not counting PGA under my results obviously because not much I can do once tourney begins).
Bryson now has everybody questioning if they’re playing golf correctly. Single-length irons, putting with the long putter glued to his forearm, using compasses and protractors and shit. Asked how much he can improve, he said it depends on air tolerances the restrictions of his biomechanics.
He cleans his grooves with a Dick’s Sporting Goods brush and gets roasted by Johnny Miller for it.
He signs his autograph backwards.
Yet he wins. 3 W’s this season, 4 in his young career. That’s the same number as Rickie Fowler but Bryon’s 24, Rickie will be 30 in December.
So what changed? Why did Bryson go from missed cuts last season and driving range meltdowns this summer to back-to-back wins, a locked up Ryder Cup spot, and the guaranteed number 1 seed going into the TOUR Championship? Aside from acquiring the Riggsy Bump, he improved his putting and picked up distance. In 2017, he was 146th in strokes-gained putting and averaged 299.4 yards off the tee; in 2018, he’s 36th in strokes-gained putting and and averages 306.4 yards off the tee.
It’s simple. Find a way to drive it longer, drain more putts, and meet Riggs Barstool, and you become the hottest player on earth.
Stay hot, Bryson.
He’s also learned from his experiences to figure out how to close the deal. In July, he lead on the European Tour before playing the final 4 holes in 5-over and finishing T13. Yet at the Northern Trust he posted a final-round 69 to win by 4, and in Boston he posted a final-round 67 to seal up a 2-stroke win.
Love it. Ryder Cup starts in just over 3 weeks. Stay hot, Bryson.