Bryson DeChambeau celebrates his final birdie of the day during the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship. | Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images
Following his runner-up finish at Valhalla, Bryson DeChambeau gave a surprising anecdote about his PGA Championship experience.
Bryson DeChambeau finished the 2024 PGA Championship at 20-under-par, one stroke behind Xander Schauffele at Valhalla. Although he did not win, DeChambeau’s exuberant emotions and mannerisms won the hearts of many, both on and off the golf course.
Nevertheless, ahead of this week’s LIV Golf event in Houston, DeChambeau reflected on his latest major championship performance and made a stunning admission.
“It’s funny because I really wasn’t hitting it my best going into that week,” DeChambeau admitted Wednesday.
“Equipment was working fine. Just wasn’t swinging it my best.”
Before this year, only Jason Day had reached 20-under par in the history of the PGA Championship, when he took home the Wanamaker Trophy in 2015.
DeChambeau matched that mark last month, yet he feels he did not have his best stuff in Kentucky.
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Bryson DeChambeau plays the 18th hole during the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship.
“Again, I wasn’t hitting it my best, and it was just really surprising to see myself be up at the top of that leaderboard on Sunday,” DeChambeau added.
“I was certainly shocked and surprised for myself a little bit just based on the way I was hitting it. Made everything. That was ultimately why I got up to that level and ultimately had a chance to win.”
DeChambeau putted beautifully at Valhalla, with his birdie on the 72nd hole being the biggest putt he made all week. That got him to 20-under, putting him in a tie with Schauffele for a brief moment. But Schauffele made a birdie on the par-5 18th to defeat the 2020 U.S. Open champion by a stroke.
“I was frustrated, disappointed not to win,” DeChambeau said.
“I wanted two LIV players to win the PGA Championship in back-to-back years. That would have been cool. But Xander played really well. Hats off to him, obviously, for doing what he did. Shooting 21-under par is pretty special.”
Of course, Brooks Koepka won the PGA Championship at Oak Hill in 2023, thus becoming the first active LIV player to win a major. DeChambeau, had he won in Louisville, would have been the second.
“I gave it my all. That’s the thing I’m most proud about is I just threw it all out there. I gave it my all, did my best, and it’s certainly fun feeling a lot of that nervousness out there, the nerves, the pressure.” DeChambeau noted.
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Bryson DeChambeau putts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship.
“That’s what we play for. That’s what we play golf for. We want to experience being in it, being in that moment and giving ourselves a chance to win and that excitement. I was proud of the way I played. I am happy with the game that I have currently right now, and I am excited to continue the good play.”
DeChambeau also said that he has figured out some stuff since the PGA, and will surely arrive at Pinehurst No. 2 as one of the favorites for next week’s U.S. Open.
The former SMU Mustang has played well in the majors this year, tying for sixth at Augusta National before his close call in Kentucky.
He has also not missed a cut at a U.S. Open since his win at Winged Foot, tying for 26th, 56th, and 20th over the past three years.
Perhaps another major championship triumph is in store for DeChambeau, whose length will be on full display in North Carolina. If he can keep his drives straight and put like he did in Kentucky, watch out.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
