Truth be know, Bryson Dechambeau has a very particular set of skills, refined by long hours of intense practice and scientific application.
When those skills are properly applied, they can be a nightmare for other professional golfers — everywhere.
DeChambeau took that particular set of skills to the Emirates Golf Club and on Sunday, totally dominated any and every would-be challenger on his way to his first victory on the European Tour.
Defending champion Haotong Li, playing with DeChambeau, never had a chance, nor did anyone else after DeChambeau started birdie-birde-birdie then for good measure, started his second nine eagle-birdie and by day’s end Sunday, put up a tournament record 24-under par, capped by the final round 64 he shot. In all, he was a runaway winner, seven shots clear of England’s up-and-coming Matt Wallace.
It was clinical — seven birdies, one eagle and just one hiccup at the par four 12th where a wayward drive and a not-so-great recovery left him with the day’s only blemish on an otherwise perfect scorecard.
The 25-year-old PGA Tour star, ranked fifth in the world, showed he was the class of the field at the Emirates Golf Club. He was in control of every facet of his game with rounds of 66-66-67 then the closing 64, missing from inside 10 feet on the final hole for what would have been birdie and a 63.
The man who marches in a different manner, was all smiles as he walked off the 72nd hole.
“Today I was happy with my game. I executed a lot of great shots. Today was a pleasure. It was obviously a lot of fun to be able to finally hoist an international trophy, I’m so happy about that. I was trying to shoot 25 under today and missed it by one, but I’m happy with the results for sure.
“I was trying to go as deep as possible today.”
DeChambeau started the round just a shot clear of Li, the 23-year-old Chinese star, who shot 23-under to win this event last year.
DeChambeau will stay in the Middle East this week to compete at the controversial Saudi International event in Saudi Arabia, a kingdom-sponsored tournament.
