Bryson DeChambeau won his second US Open title last Sunday – but the LIV golfer’s victory was not without controversy as one caddie accused him of breaking a rule.
Bryson DeChambeau clinched his second US Open title last Sunday after a thrilling showdown in North Carolina – amid a swirl of controversy.
DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy went head-to-head in a nail-biting final round at Pinehurst No. 2, with DeChambeau edging out the PGA Tour heavyweight by just one stroke. The LIV Golf superstar began the day three shots ahead of McIlroy, but the tables turned dramatically on championship Sunday.
McIlroy found his stride, sinking three birdies between holes 10 and 13, propelling him two shots ahead of DeChambeau with only five holes remaining. Yet, the excitement was far from over as McIlroy stumbled with three bogeys in the last four holes, including two devastatingly short missed putts on the 16th and 18th.
This gave DeChambeau the opportunity to make an impressive comeback, securing his win with a remarkable up-and-down shot on the 18th hole.
DeChambeau, who is known for his unique style of playing golf, faced criticism over the legitimacy of his putter when veteran PGA Tour caddie Kip Henley questioned its effectiveness.
Henley stated, in a post on X with a picture of the putter, that if he were a player leading in the US Open, he would request the USGA to verify the specifications of this putter. He mentioned that according to the rules, the shaft should be inclined at least 10 degrees away from the head, but it appears to be vertical.
Despite not having any personal bias towards the individual in question, he emphasized that this is a matter of adherence to the rules. “Following Henley’s tweet causing a strong negative reaction regarding DeChambeau’s putter selection, Mirror US Sports conducted an in-depth analysis of the Rules of Golf to investigate the specific rule in question.”
The rulebook indicates that it is crucial to consider the third condition specified in Part 2, Section 1b when evaluating the compliance of an adjustable club. It is necessary to ensure that the club cannot be adjusted into a position that violates the Equipment Rules.
An adjustable putter must not be able to be changed to a position where the shaft deviates from the vertical by less than 10 degrees. This would make the club non-compliant with regulations.
For individuals seeking more detailed information, the USGA explains that all putters can generally be aligned in a manner where the shaft is less than 10° from vertical or even completely vertical.
Additionally, putters rarely have a completely flat sole from heel to toe. “When confronted with a judgment like this, the determining factor should not be if a player utilizes the putter with the shaft at an angle under 10°, but rather if the design of the putter allows for this.” It is natural to assume that DeChambeau’s club would have been subject to thorough inspections to guarantee it complies with all standards.
The following day, Henley, the caddie, acknowledged that his first post was meant to be taken lightly.
He tweeted in exasperation, “You are all acting crazy!” He mentioned that he is aware of the numerous inspections Bryson’s equipment has undergone and is confident that his putter is within regulations.
He acknowledged that his tweet was meant to be humorous and provoke a reaction. Stirring up controversy about this topic was effortless for him.
Leave a Reply