Bryson DeChambeau was involved in real controversy during day one of the US Open at Oakmont on Thursday.
DeChambeau headed into the US Open as the second favourite due to his fine recent form and suitability to the challenge that Oakmont represents.
The 31-year-old American is now widely regarded as one of the most marketable players in the game, and his popularity has exploded over the past couple of years.
DeChambeau hit the headlines before the US Open by lauding LIV Golf as a product, and he seems determined to make a success out of the Saudi-backed outfit.
However, his priority is still clearly to win as many majors as he can.
DeChambeau’s length will undoubtedly be a huge advantage for him at the US Open this week, and if he manages to hone his iron play, he may well end up victorious come Sunday evening.
The two-time major champion got off to a solid start on day one at Oakmont, but his first few holes did not pass without controversy.
Bryson DeChambeau criticised during day one of the US Open
DeChambeau began his US Open campaign with a bogey and two pars on the first, second and third holes.
Then things got weird on the par five fourth hole.
The LIV Golf star found a fairway bunker off the tee and was forced into laying up.
His ball ended up in the crosswalk used for spectators to move from one side of the fourth to the other.
DeChambeau asked his caddie to pick up his ball, and he did so without marking it. That meant that he then had to take relief immediately behind the walkway, when he actually wanted to move his ball elsewhere.
Even more bizarrely though, DeChambeau placed his ball down on the ground, instead of dropping it from knee height.
The commentators on Sky Sports in the UK could not believe what they were witnessing.
Andrew Coltart said, “I’m just astounded he placed it. It’s just not natural.“
Before Nick Dougherty weighed into the debate by saying, “Whichever way you look at it, a fairly stupid mistake for a very intelligent man.“
Before Rich Beem added, “Just going through that whole sequence again, he had his caddie pick up his golf ball without actually marking the position it was at, but if you’re going to take relief why would he take it so close to where it was. Why not take it an extra five yards back.“
And then Coltart finished up by saying, “Yeah very bizarre scenes there for Bryson DeChambeau, he does that to us doesn’t he, he likes to keep us guessing.“
It really was a strange incident, and we may well not have heard the last of it.
The biggest error he made during the bizarre sequence of events was failing to mark his ball in the first place.
It was a real rookie mistake that someone with DeChambeau’s experience really should not have made.
What the USGA banned DeChambeau from using back in 2018
DeChambeau is no stranger to controversial moments.
He is always pushing the needle when it comes to developing technology that is very close to the line when it comes to conforming or non-conforming equipment.
However, he was banned from using something that has been around for hundreds of years seven years ago.
At The Travelers Championship, DeChambeau was seen using a compass in conjunction with his yardage book to help identify the pin locations easier.
However, the USGA banned him from doing so not long after, and released the following statement:
“At the request of the PGA Tour, the USGA and the R&A reviewed Bryson DeChambeau’s stated use of a drawing compass to assist him in determining ‘true’ hole locations, and jointly determined that his specific usage would be in breach of Rule 14-3, if used in a future round.
“The Rule prohibits a player, during a stipulated round, from using any artificial device or unusual equipment, or using any equipment in an abnormal manner, that ‘might assist him in making a stroke or in his play.’ Because a compass is not a usual piece of equipment in golf, and Bryson clearly stated that he had used the device to assist him, the USGA, R&A and the PGA Tour agreed it was in the best interest of the game to share this determination with Bryson immediately. In doing so before his next round, we have made every effort to assist Bryson in avoiding possible disqualification and provide clarity to the PGA Tour and other players in the field.”
DeChambeau obviously never used a compass on the golf course again and after the controversy at the US Open on Thursday, he will surely never pick up his ball without marking it in the future.
The American even called himself ‘dumb’ for doing exactly that before taking his drop on the fourth hole at Oakmont.
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