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Bryson DeChambeau’s biggest problem may have just become his strength ahead of the US Open after day one at LIV Virginia

Bryson DeChambeau after hitting an iron shot on the 17th hole at LIV Golf Virginia / The U.S. Open trophy during a Media Day at Oakmont in 2016
Credit: Alex Goodlett/Justin K. Aller for DC&P Championship via Getty Images
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After day one at LIV Virginia, Bryson DeChambeau seems to be in a really good place with his golf game overall.

With the US Open just around the corner, DeChambeau is one of the favourites heading into the tournament at Oakmont.

DeChambeau has already suggested that Oakmont will be a diabolical test of golf, and he’s not wrong there.

The Henry Fownes design is expected to give the best players in the world all sorts of problems at the US Open next week.

DeChambeau played Oakmont in a practice round last Saturday, and shot a round of even-par 70.

Bryson DeChambeau after hitting an iron shot on the 17th hole at LIV Golf Virginia
Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

If he’s on top form, he will undoubtedly contend at Oakmont.

However, there is one thing that he needs to iron out as a matter of urgency if he is to win his third US Open.

And the early signs are that he is doing just that.

Bryson DeChambeau’s biggest problem just became his strength ahead of the US Open

DeChambeau’s iron play was his weakest link yet again during his practice round at Oakmont last week.

However, there are signs that the American is slowly improving in the one category where he has been lacking this year.

DeChambeau brought a new set of irons into play at LIV Virginia this week, and the signs are that he has made an inspired decision in that regard.

On LIV this season, DeChambeau is 1st in strokes gained total, according to Data Golf.

He has performed brilliantly off the tee, solidly on and around the greens, but really poorly when it comes to his approach play.

The 31-year-old ranks in 25th position in the strokes gained approach category on LIV this season.

However, during his first round at LIV Virginia, DeChambeau ranked fifth in the field for strokes gained approach, with a score of +2.33.

That is a sign of a huge improvement from DeChambeau, and one that he needed to make.

Moving forward, the challenge for him will be to show some real consistency with his iron play over the final two rounds in Virginia.

Was his approach play at The Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on Thursday a flash in the pan?

Or was it a sign of a much-improved version of DeChambeau? Only time will tell in that regard.

The U.S. Open trophy during a Media Day at Oakmont in 2016
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images for DC&P Championship

DeChambeau’s iron play cost him dearly at The Masters

The two-time major winner has performed brilliantly in the four biggest tournaments in the game.

He has six top-six finishes in the majors since the start of the 2023 season, including one win.

However, he could easily have won more majors, had his iron play been sharper.

A prime example of that was how he lost strokes to the field at Augusta National back in April.

RoundBryson DeChambeau’s strokes gained approach
One+1.43
Two-0.78
Three-1.83
Four-2.40
Credit Data Golf

His performance on the final day of The Masters really was very poor.

Losing 2.4 strokes to the field with his approach play just wasn’t anywhere near good enough for a player of his calibre.

After DeChambeau brought a new set of irons into play though, perhaps he will now turn the corner and be a force to be reckoned with at Oakmont in the US Open next week.