Bryson DeChambeau hit reporters with a quick “hope you guys have a great night” on Sunday at Royal Birkdale, then kept on walking past them after his final round of The Open. It was his eighth straight major round without engaging with the media, a move that’s quickly becoming his signature after another wild week on the course. You gotta wonder what’s going through his head sometimes, because this dude just keeps everybody guessing.
A Wild Ride in Southport
Look, the week wasn’t all bad for DeChambeau. He ended up in a tie for 14th, which is actually his best finish across all four major championships this season. Remember, he straight up missed the cut at the other three, so going T-14 at The Open is a definite step up. But man, it was a total rollercoaster! The big drama hit on Friday when he got slapped with a two-shot penalty. Turns out he “inadvertently improved his intended backswing,” which is golf-speak for a no-no. He even threatened to not play on Saturday because of the punishment, which, come on, that’s wild! But credit where it’s due, he “showed great strength to bounce back from that setback” and finish strong. You know he’s gonna divide opinion though, right? Rory McIlroy was quick to say DeChambeau “deserved his penalty,” while a bunch of his compatriots were out there jumping to his defense. Classic Bryson.
The Silent Treatment (Again) and Those Smiles for Fans
So, after all that, what does he do? He gives the media the cold shoulder. Again. He walked straight past the mixed zone after his final-round 72, barely acknowledging the waiting reporters beyond that polite, yet dismissive, “hope you guys have a great night.” And get this: right after that, he’s taking “a few smiling selfies with fans” before just heading out. It’s nothing new from the guy, who’s “clearly very unhappy with the way he has been treated by the media in recent times.” He lets down the press, but always makes sure the fans get their moment. It’s a calculated move for sure.
This “roller-coaster week” at Royal Birkdale perfectly summed up Bryson’s whole deal. He might not have had a perfect week, but his status in the game? Undeniable. He’s a two-time major champion, a guy who constantly “divided opinion,” and he’s not afraid to do things his way. This kind of action could totally “add extra spice to the Ryder Cup” with how European players are reacting. What’s he going to pull next? You know we’ll be watching!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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