Inside Bryson DeChambeau's US Open preparation with ‘fun side quests' on helicopter and racing Indy500 cars

The Sun

4 hours ago

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU has prepared for his US Open defence by hitting balls on the White House lawn, racing around in an Indy 500 car, and taking a helicopter ride to collect salt!
He even took his golf clubs to the famous Indianapolis 500 racetrack - and smashed a ball a staggering 738 yards down the back stretch.
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But DeChambeau is so confident his unusual build-up will pay off at Oakmont this week, that he is already targeting a historic 'threepeat' at Shinneock next year.
Only seven golfers have ever won back-to-back US Opens, and the only man to win three in a row was Willie Anderson - 120 years ago.
But after taking advantage of Rory McIlroy 's putting heebie jeebies to claim the title at Pinehurst last year, DeChambeau, who also won at Winged Foot in 2020, believes his big-hitting game is perfectly suited for the US Open challenge.
He said: 'I'm always chasing history. Everybody is. We're all trying to accomplish feats that are unique or haven't been done in a long time.
'So going back-to-back would be great. But three in a row would be an even better accomplishment. So that thought is in the back of my head.'
DeChambeau looked a vision of confidence and contentment as he treated the two million subscribers to his YouTube channel to a glimpse of his mind-boggling off-course escapades.
He took advantage of the fact that the last week's LIV Virginia tournament was in Virginia - not far from the White House - to put in a call to President Trump, a close pal and regular playing partner.
They played 18 holes at Trump's course in Virginia, before playing a converted par three on the White House's south lawn.
That came hot on the heels of DeChambeau's Indy 500 visit, where he was driven around by Andretti Global star Kyle Kirkwood at speeds of over 180 mph, before unleashing a few monster drives down the tarmac.
And the helicopter trip to the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where he also played 18 holes with a new sponsor, was another of the activities he describes as 'fun side quests'.
Bryson DeChambeau appears to punch himself in the face repeatedly live on Sky Sports in bizarre PGA Championship moment
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He also shared the banter he enjoyed with President Trump, who commented: "We play golf a lot together. It's not a very pleasant experience for me because I always consider myself a reasonably long hitter.
'My wife says, 'Are you as long as Bryson?' I say, 'Yeah, sorta, pretty close'. It's not close."
But DeChambeau, 31, insists he has not been neglecting his golf regime.
He also squeezed in a practice round at Oakmont last week, a course where a much punier version of the game's Incredible Bulk claimed a top twenty finish the last time it hosted the US Open, in 2016.
DeChambeau described Oakmont as ' the toughest golf course in the world', but said he is ready for the challenge.
He explained: 'How am I preparing for it? Just like I would any other tournament.
'Just like I did last year with Pinehurst: focusing on executing the right shots, hitting the fairways, and not three-putting. That's going to be a big deal.
'And keeping it out of the rough, which is five inches deep in places. Not much more than that. I try to keep it simple.'
DeChambeau has proved he has the game to contend regularly in the Majors, especially the ones played in America.
A missed cut at Royal Troon last year was the only time he failed to finish in the top six in the last half a dozen Majors, posting two runner-up finishes as well as his Pinehurst triumph.
It is the sort of consistency LIV rival Brooks Koepka was producing when he became the most recent golfer to successfully defend the US Open title, in 2018.