In a tournament grounded in the belief that theoretically, anyone can clinch victory, it feels fitting that Bryson DeChambeau, renowned for embracing the role of golf’s quintessential everyman, holds the crown. At the U.S. Open, a contest designed as much to humble the elite as to celebrate them, DeChambeau’s triumph came through a shot few can replicate.
Nestled outside the bunker on the 18th hole at Pinehurst No. 2 is a plaque marking the spot where DeChambeau etched his name into history. During last year’s U.S. Open, he executed “the shot of my life”—a 55-yard sand shot landing a mere 4 feet from the hole, sealing his victory. As DeChambeau prepares to defend his title on Thursday at Oakmont, the record-holder for hosting the U.S. Open ten times, he’s set to face one of the most challenging courses.
DeChambeau, a 31-year-old golf professional and social media sensation, claimed his first U.S. Open title in 2020 at Winged Foot—a course infamous for the 1974 “Massacre at Winged Foot” and Phil Mickelson’s notorious meltdown years later. Standing by the bunker at Pinehurst, golf’s everyman offers insight to his vast YouTube audience on handling scenarios like the tricky 50-yard bunker shot, known among the sport’s toughest.
“The most valuable advice is practicing in unpredictable, unique settings for maybe an hour weekly—20 minutes even. Just aim to diverge from the usual and abandon the routine stock shots,” DeChambeau suggests. This remark epitomizes a tournament that rarely yields such historic shots.
Each major golf championship carries its distinct characteristics. The Masters echoes with roars during Sunday’s back-nine surges, while the British Open tests players’ strategic prowess on links-style courses. America’s golf championship has a legacy of compelling the top-tier golfers to experience the game’s challenges like amateurs. Therefore, iconic U.S. Open moments are limited in number.
Notable in this elite company are shots such as Ben Hogan’s remarkable 1-iron leading to a playoff at Merion in 1950, Arnold Palmer’s monumental drive at Cherry Hills in 1960, Jack Nicklaus’ 1-iron graze with the flagstick at Pebble Beach in 1972, Tom Watson’s legendary chip to defeat Nicklaus a decade later, and Tiger Woods’ tense 12-foot putt at Torrey Pines in 2008 that secured a playoff victory. Now, DeChambeau’s bunker shot joins this venerable list.
NBC golf analyst Smylie Kaufman, recalling his pressures from playing in the 2016 Masters’ final group, remarked, “To swing with such confidence and precision at that distance, without inadvertently mishitting, is a delicate balance.” Fellow NBC analyst Notah Begay notes, “The overlooked element in professional golf is the on-the-fly calculations—grass conditions, projections for landing, and more.”
The U.S. Open prides itself on being universally accessible, yet traditionally, it culminates in a select few familiar faces vying for the title. Among 10,000 hopefuls aiming to qualify, tales of triumph emerge, like a Georgia high-schooler and an Indiana-based dentist with caddying roots at Oakmont. Yet, historically, Orville Moody in 1969 and Lucas Glover in 2009 are outliers in turning sectional and local qualifications into championships.
As the tournament nears its climax, common logic suggests the finale might showcase celebrated names. Despite Scottie Scheffler’s current dominance and Rory McIlroy’s recent Masters triumph completing his career Grand Slam, DeChambeau seems to capture fan attention unmatched by rivals. Boasting over 2 million YouTube subscribers, DeChambeau showcases golf’s accessibility, uploading videos demonstrating feats like hole-in-one wedge shots over his house and playing with basic equipment to challenge himself further.
Summing up his philosophy for replicating challenging golf scenarios such as the 50-yard bunker shot, DeChambeau advises, “Once your stock shot feels second nature, it’s all about having fun. Engage in casual competitions with peers, master shots from unorthodox positions, and ultimately, let these experiences enhance your gameplay.”