DeChambeau too powerful for chasing pack at Bay Hill
By George Watkins
America continues its dominance on this year’s PGA tour thanks to Bryson DeChambeau. The big hitting DeChambeau beat Lee Westwood by one shot to take the win last Sunday.
It was nice to see fans back surrounding the greens at the Bay Hill Golf Course in Florida this past weekend. After being cancelled last year the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the red cardigan was one by someone who looked up to Palmer himself.
DeChambeau in his interview after his victory said rather emotionally "I loved what Mr Palmer did with this place and what he's done and his legacy he's left here. It's quite amazing."
"2 02 US Open Bryson DeChambeau" by ForwardDefensive is marked with CC PDM 1.0
DeChambeau finished on the Sunday elven-under-par after shooting a one-under-par 71 in the final round. Englishmen Lee Westwood was the leader heading into the final day but with a succession of missed putts dropped too many shots to hold his lead.
Ultimately It was to be Bryson’s weekend, an incredible performance from such an unpredictable player. One thing that was predicted, Bryson’s 377-yard drive that carried over the 300-yard lake on the sixth hole which left him under 100 yards from the green on a par-five.
There was speculation that he would use his big-hitting attributes to take on the lake that most people play around, but to see him take it on when in contention of winning is certainly remarkable.
With his win at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club, DeChambeau moved up in the world ranking as he leaped ahead of Tyrrell Hatton into sixth. As it stands there is currently only two Europeans inside the world’s top ten and only one in the top six. A credit to form of the Americans or a worry for the Europeans?
Lee Westwood who ended up taking second place showed that age is just a number as the 47-year old placed above many of the tours best pro’s. Westwood will hope to continue his form with plenty of golf to be played still in 2021 including a Ryder Cup on American soil.
Another noticeable story from last week’s event was the collapse or Rory McIlroy who was off to a flying start until a miserable final day saw him finish well down the leaderboard. McIlroy’s current form has seen him drop out of the world top ten.
McIlroy, usually such a top professional but has not won on the PGA tour since November 2019 and admits he needs to find some form and quickly. McIlroy said in a recent conference "I need something, I need a spark - I need something and I just don't seem to have it.” Europeans will be hoping Rory can find this spark before he most likely steps foot in Wisconsin where this year’s Ryder Cup will be held.