Bryson DeChambeau saw Friday’s forecast for Mamaroneck, N.Y. and charted his course for the second round of the U.S. Open.
He hit balls until dark approached at Winged Foot after his opening round on Thursday, trying to replicate the conditions he expected to find when he arrived at the course the next morning.
DeChambeau, known for his numbers-based approach to the game, dialed in his distances and was prepared for the cooler temperatures and higher winds that whipped around the West Course at Winged Foot on Friday.
Bryson DeChambeau survives morning wave
His 2-under 68 left him at 3 under for the tournament – the best of only two players to be under par through 36 holes after Friday’s morning wave. The other was Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello at 2 under.
DeChambeau stuck to his game plan of trying to overpower Winged Foot despite five-inch rough around the course. He birdied the par-4 sixth hole after nearly driving the green and closed with an eagle on the ninth hole after bombing a 380-yard drive.
“It’s an awesome journey for me,” he said. “I love figuring out all the numbers. I was out here last night. I knew it was going to be cooler, so I waited and was able to hit balls almost in the dark.
“I knew it was going to be similar conditions. I got my numbers with my wedges and I felt really comfortable today.”
DeChambeau hit only seven of 14 fairways, but did hit 12 greens in regulation and gained 2.22 shots off the green on Friday. He also needed only 29 putts in the second round. His card included only seven pars to go with that eagle, five birdies and five bogies.
The end result was DeChambeau’s fourth round of 68 or better in six rounds in majors in 2020 after entering this year with only one in 44 previous major rounds.
DeChambeau’s game plan for the weekend as he chases his first major title?
“Hitting fairways and hitting greens and making some putts,” he said with a chuckle. “That is it.”
–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)
