A week ago Bryson DeChambeau and Lee Westwood went head-to-head at Bay Hill.
The two stars will face off again in the final group at The Players Championship on Sunday.
Westwood birdied the 16th and 17th on Saturday for a four-under par 68 that got him to 13-under par at the Stadium Course, two shots better than DeChambeau. DeChambeau made a great par save at the 18th, holing a 14-footer for par and a 67 that earned him another showdown with Westwood in the day’s final pairing.
The main difference from last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational is that there is a lot of quality behind them, ready to make a run at the championship on Sunday.
“It’s everything,” DeChambeau said when asked how big that closing par was at the difficult 18th. “You have to make those to win tournaments.” DeChambeau edged Westwood by a shot for the victory last week. “All I do know is it will be a battle again tomorrow. It will be fun. It’s always fun being in the last group.”
DeChambeau’s ball-striking was off most of the day. He only hit 10 greens but had 13 one-putts and 23 putts overall.
As for Westwood, his day started slow and steady. He made nine straight pars on the front nine while birdies were flying all over the place on a day when pin placements were accessible and low scores were showing up. Westwood found birdies at the 10th and 12th then wrestled the lead away from DeChambeau with those birdies at 16 and 17. At 17, he made a slippery, downhill, left-to-right curler, his longest putt of the afternoon.
“It was a professional round,” was how Westwood described it. He said he never got frustrated although his missed a bunch of birdie opportunities. “I don’t let it get to me. I’m pleased with the way I played.” When asked about playing with DeChambeau again on a Sunday in the final group, Westwood added: “I love it. I like playing with Bryson. What’s not to like. I expect to go out and enjoy myself like I did today.”
Their first Sunday meeting came down to a match play situation over the final six holes at Bay Hill but that might not be the case on Sunday. There are some prime contenders in position to challenge.
Here’s how they’re lined up behind Westy and Bryson:
Ten-Under Par 134:
Justin Thomas (64): J.T. finally got it going. He showed his “A” game for the first time in a long time. He admitted afterward, “I’ve probably been trying too hard, trying too hard to win. Out here you have to play shot-by-shot. I need to not be emotional out there on Sunday.” Thomas added that he likes the challenge of the Stadium Course. “I really do enjoy the golf course.”
Doug Ghim (68): Here’s the surprise near the top of the leader-board. He was a teammate of Scottie Scheffler at the University of Texas and was a world-class amateur who is trying to make his among the stars of the PGA Tour. “I have nothing to lose,” Ghim declared after his Saturday round. “There’s a lot to play for. This is what I’ve worked for my whole life.”
Nine-Under Par 135:
Paul Casey (67): Casey’s ball-striking has been on full display and he’s excited to have a chance on Sunday.
Jon Rahm (67): The world’s No. 2 is capable of getting out and putting up a low number, can put some heat on the guys ahead of him.
Brian Harman (69): Out-gunned but the golf course sets up well for his game.
Eight-Under Par 136:
Sergio Garcia (71): The overnight leader had a miserable day with the putter and his ball-striking wasn’t at its best. Still, his experience enabled him to hang in there, shoot under par and keep himself in the mix.
Chris Kirk (71): Would be a total surprise winner on Sunday. But if Craig Perks could win this championship, Chris Kirk can.
Matt Fitzpatrick (72): Matt was hitting it horribly most of the day. Had water balls, a short missed putt at 18 yet still managed to shoot 72 when it looked like he was shooting 77.
Will it be DeChambeau vs. Westwood Part II?
Or will someone come behind and win this huge championship?
