There are not many players in the game of golf right now who are putting themselves in high pressure situations on the biggest stages more than Bryson DeChambeau.
Bryson DeChambeau has been one of the most impressive performers in the majors over the last 18 months. He has finished inside the top six in five of the last six majors, with his only missed cut in that time coming at The Open Championship at Royal Troon.
Of course, the highlight for DeChambeau came when he won the US Open for a second time in 2024. It came after one of the greatest days in major championship history as he battled it out with Rory McIlroy at Pinehurst.
Perhaps the most iconic moment, from DeChambeau’s perspective, came from the bunker shot he hit on the 72nd hole as he needed to get up and down to avoid a playoff with McIlroy.
Bryson DeChambeau offers his best advice for amateur golfers looking to hit better shots under pressure
It is often said that the pitch shot from the bunker is one of the hardest in the game of golf. And yet, DeChambeau was able to leave himself with about as simple a four-foot putt as he could have possibly asked for.
And ahead of LIV Golf Virginia this week, DeChambeau was asked in his press conference what advice he would give an amateur golfer when trying to make a shot under extreme pressure.
“Yeah, a lot of it’s trying a bunch of weird stuff in practice. Going out and putting yourself in an awkward situation. I think for amateurs alike, they need to experience that. Even though they may not execute it or complete it, they still have to try it out so they can get comfortable with their hand-eye coordination of oh, I’ve got to swing a little weird this time or do something different,” he said.
“The best piece of advice I give them is just practice in weird, unique situations for maybe an hour a week, 20 minutes, whatever. But try to be different and don’t just hit the same stock shot every time.
“Once you get a stock shot down and you’re comfortable with it, go have some fun. Do a chipping contest with your amateur friends and throw it in the bunker from 50 yards or throw it in a bush and see if you can get out. Stuff to that extent has suited my game very well. It’s allowed me to be an artist in my head, as much as I am a robot, and try to swing it as straight as possible and just stable as possible.
“I still do have to hit cuts and draws and hit weird shots every once in a while, so I think giving myself those opportunities in the bunker, in the bush, whatever, has only aided in my golf career. For amateurs, I would say go try some weird shots. Have some fun.”
How did Bryson DeChambeau perform when the US Open was last at Oakmont
It has been some time since DeChambeau teed it up and failed to put himself in contention. He had at least a share of the lead on the final day in Miami and Mexico City on LIV Golf, while he also went ahead of Rory McIlroy early on during the final round of The Masters.
DeChambeau knows how to win the US Open, and will be among the favourites for Oakmont next week.
Interestingly, he was in the field for the event the last time Oakmont played host. And it actually proved to be his best result in a US Open outside of his two victories.
DeChambeau – who was playing in his first major as a professional – finished in a tie for 15th on five over par. He had gone into the final round just inside the top 10 on one over par.
Given how his game has developed in the nine years since, there is every reason to think that DeChambeau will be in the mix once again.
And he will know that if the opportunity presents itself, he can hit the shots required to get across the line.
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