Bryson DeChambeau puts on show to grab three-shot lead heading into final round of US Open
PINEHURST, N.C.— Bryson DeChambeau is marching around the hallowed grounds of Pinehurst No.
2 like Paul Bunyan.Everywhere the 30-year-old DeChambeau goes, jaws drop and throaty screams of approval are directed his way.DeChambeau is working the room that is the 124th U.S.Open.
He takes a three-shot lead into Sunday’s final round in a bid to win his second career U.S.Open.
The 2020 U.S.Open winner at Winged Foot leads Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay and Mattieu Pavon by three shots.Hideki Matsuyama and Ludvig Aberg, who entered the day with the tournament lead at 5-under par and played in the final round alongside DeChambeau, are both 2-under par and not out of it.Tyrrell Hatton and Tony Finau, at 1-under par, have an outside chance to make a Sunday run.But this day — and this tournament — has been about DeChambeau and the complete transformation from misunderstood and quirky to fan favorite.His shot-making is as breathtaking as his swagger is breathtaking.
No one in the field — or the sport — is having more fun than DeChambeau right now.Even after he pulled his tee shot well left of the fairway into the dusty native area, DeChambeau walked off the 18th tee fist-pumping toward the packed grandstands who were cheering him on.Two holes earlier, DeChambeau had a four-shot lead as he played the 16th, and he double bogeyed it to melt the lead in half.He followed that hiccup with a bounce-back birdie on the par-3 17th hole and unleashed a wild celebration as his lead pushed to three shots.Last month, DeChambeau was the unquestioned most popular player who drew the most rabid roars at Valhalla while electrifying the crowds with his remarkable shots.He finished 20-under par, one shot behind winner Xander Schauffele.Now, as DeChambeau wakes up Sunday morning, he’ll have one hand on the U.S.
Open trophy.The day was beautifully intense.It was only Saturday, but it felt so much like a major championship Sunday.The third round had the distinct feel of a final rou...