DeChambeau strolls to victory to all but wrap up Ryder Cup slot
What happened at The Northern Trust?
Bryson DeChambeau backed up a moving day 63 with a solid Sunday performance to win the first FedEx Cup event and his second tournament of the season.
DeChambeau clawed back from potentially damaging bogeys at the 3rd and 9th to card a clean homeward nine, to sign for a 2-under-par 69 and end the day how he started it – with a four-stroke victory.
Back-to-back birdies in his opening holes sent him six clear before one was wiped out immediately and another right before the turn – but the one they call The Scientist held his nerve to reach 18-under, enough for a comfortable win.
A winner after a play-off at The Memorial back in March proved the 24-year-old can deal with the pressure of a championship Sunday, but he will have had the Porsche European Open, where he was 5-over-par for his final four holes to miss out on the silverware, in his mind.
Aaron Wise, a winner on the PGA Tour as well this season, briefly threatened having made a string of birdies to get within two, but the South African-born player dropped shots at 16 and 17 to finish in a tie for 5th.
Tony Finau drained a 25 foot birdie at the 13th and followed that up with another on 14 to grab 2nd place for himself, giving the big-hitting Utah local his 3rd runner-up finish this season – a result which sees him from 12th to 4th in the FedEx Cup rankings.
But Finau, nor any player, could mount a worthy challenge for DeChambeau, who, after back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 to regain his four shot lead, strolled home with five straight pars.
Congratulations, @B_DeChambeau. ?
The 24-year-old has won his third PGA TOUR title @TheNTGolf.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/tO3DR52LbL
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 26, 2018
Talking Point
With US Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk set to announce his four wildcard picks on September 5, DeChambeau has all but wrapped up his spot at Le Golf National.
All three of his tour triumphs have been before the age of 24 and come at big PGA Tour events with top-class fields, and he is still relying on a wildcard pick, after missing out on the automatic qualifiers by a whisker.
Whilst we are all familiar with his range meltdown’s he is a tough cookie and will have certainly grabbed the attention of the US backroom.
Tiger Woods has expressed his admiration and his willingness to play alongside him in a match play format – where they would also play the same Bridgestone golf ball.
A gutsy player he won the US Amateur title in 2015 and finished tied for 4th in his professional debut at the RBC Heritage in 2016.
The only players to win an NCAA Championship, U.S. Amateur and at least three PGA TOUR events before their 25th birthday:
Bryson DeChambeau
Tiger Woods
Phil Mickelson
Jack NicklausThursday was the three-year anniversary of DeChambeau's U.S. Amateur victory.
— Sean Martin (@PGATOURSMartin) August 26, 2018
Whatever your assumption of him is, he will be on the plane to Paris.
Best quote
To be able to hold a lead and keep the lead for the whole time, I was getting a little close and a little tight there mid-round, to be able to push forward and make a couple putts when I needed to was great. Whatever happens, happens. I’m going to try and go play my best next week and see what happens after that.
Highlights
3X PGA TOUR Champ ???
And… your new #FedExCup Standings leader! pic.twitter.com/U7Odqf5SCV
— THE NORTHERN TRUST (@TheNTGolf) August 26, 2018
A statement for @B_DeChambeau.
Opening birdie. Leader by 5.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/p2uObaqiV2
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 26, 2018
Birdie-birdie start for @B_DeChambeau.
He leads by SIX @TheNTGolf.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/emmvylTNe8
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 26, 2018
Sending love to @TigerWoods. ?
You made him blush, @HV3_Golf. pic.twitter.com/WjP05XCloM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 26, 2018
The lead was 5.
The lead is 2.@AaronWise_ is embracing the back 9 on Sunday.?? #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/UPV7mVTUY0
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 26, 2018
Front 9 this week: -1
Back 9 this week: -13@AaronWise_ is charging at @TheNTGolf.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/kBOTr4sdot— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 26, 2018
.@aaronwise_'s last 12 finishes: ?
• CUT
• CUT
• T2
• ?
• CUT
• CUT
• CUT
• CUT
• CUT
• T6
• CUT
• T4 (@TheNTGolf )Golf. A game of ups and downs. https://t.co/1DwqBZ1Po7 #NorthernTrustOpen pic.twitter.com/Zd4KwqfLfn
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) August 26, 2018
The happiest boy in the world.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/9HzBl35CWj
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 26, 2018
The clubs Bryson DeChambeau used to win the 2018 Northern Trust. ? A new Cobra driver was in the bag: https://t.co/gRMm42LcMO pic.twitter.com/qFURodbcWq
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) August 26, 2018
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Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
