Bryson DeChambeau was at the centre of controversy after being hit with a two-stroke penalty after his second round at The Open at Royal Birkdale.
The Press Association’s Andy Hampson followed the American during his third round as he attempted to put the issue behind him and reignite his challenge for the Claret Jug on Saturday.
Here is how the round unfolded.
Hole 1: The reception DeChambeau received as he arrived on the first tee was only positive, with huge cheers and shouts from the packed grandstand. The American is a hugely popular figure with a large section of the golfing public and fans were rallying behind their man. Friday’s fiasco had clearly not damaged his sense of humour too much. After carving his tee shot into the rough on the left, he bent down to remove some pine cones near his ball. “Loose impediments!” he was quick to exclaim, to much laughter from those watching.
Hole 2: The good vibes initially continued as he cracked a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway, with plenty of shouts of “Come on Bryson” as he walked to his ball. Then came the first test as his approach landed in grass similar in length to that that caused his problems. “Mind where you stand lad,” shouted one helpful Scouser before a football-style “oooooo” chant as if DeChambeau’s practice swing was a goal-kick. The resulting chip was fine, but there were groans when the par putt was missed.
Hole 3: For all the media focus on DeChambeau, it was clear by now that for this particular crowd there were bigger shows elsewhere on the course, chiefly local favourite Tommy Fleetwood. Yet, while the numbers following his all-American game with Sam Burns were thinning out, those watching continued to show their love, notably when he holed for par.
Hole 4: All the shouts of “Come on Bryson” around the green briefly turned to cries of anguish when his birdie putt stopped short but quickly resumed again. A lone voice humorously provided some variety by shouting “Come on Burnsy” instead. Burns responded with a birdie and it was him providing the early fireworks in this match.
Hole 5: The shout of “Up the Toffees” may have gone over his head, but it was a frustrating visit to the fifth green as a birdie opportunity went by. Still, healthy applause as he tidied up for par.
Hole 6: After more banter with fans after hitting left, there came the first signs of juices starting to flow as DeChambeau holed a lengthy, curling putt for birdie. He fist-pumped the air in delight and the fans loved it. “Get in,” a few shouted.
Hole 7: It was ‘Burnsy’ who earned the bigger cheers on this par three after coming within a whisker of a hole-in-one. DeChambeau had to settle for par, but the fans were happy enough and he high-fived a number of them on his way to the eighth tee.
Hole 8: DeChambeau had a long chat with Burns as they walked down the fairway together, but he was still struggling to match his partner. Burns birdied to move into the outright lead, but he could only par. A lone quip of “Faldo was right, your strategy’s *****” went unheard, but a chant of “Bryson, give us a wave” was obliged.
Hole 9: The fans at the ninth tee were the first to really resemble a football crowd, urging him get out his driver. He theatrically kept them waiting, letting the “oooooo” build before pulling the requested club out of his bag to huge cheers. He smacked to within yards of the green and chipped on to it but could not make birdie and the cheers turned to groans.
Hole 10: He was back in the long grass again after a wayward tee shot, but, on an isolated part of the course, there was no fan interaction this time. He missed the green, but an attempt to chip in brought applause before he holed for another par.
Hole 11: More cheers as the driver came out again, but the tee shot went left, leaving an awkward approach. It did not prevent him finding the green, but his long birdie putt turned away from the hole. There was a collective sigh.
Hole 12: On a quieter part of the course, DeChambeau was in the bunker off the tee. He recovered well to save par, fist-pumping as the ball dropped.
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