Ball-blasting American Bryson DeChambeau’s incredible 417-yard monster shortcut drive set up a pivotal eagle at the Ryder Cup on Friday.
The 28-year-old American, known best for his electrifying long drives and desire to take direct lines no matter the consequences, delivered an epic tee shot at the dogleg par-five 5th hole at Whistling Straits, playing at 581 yards.
DeChambeau’s rocket launch helped him and partner Scottie Scheffler tie top-ranked Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton for Europe in their fourball match.
Come for the 🦅, stay for the 417 yard drive 😳@b_dechambeau | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/m1D1CdvtTQ
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 24, 2021
“I knew if it was a little downwind, I could take a unique line and I luckily was able to have that wind today,” DeChambeau said.
“It was 20 plus [mph] and I said to myself, ‘All right, I have to aim at the green’, so I did. I just aimed at the green and bombs away.”
In perfect position, DeChambeau dropped his approach four feet from the cup and rolled in his eagle putt to win the hole and level the match. The Europeans never led again.
“I’m glad I got something for the team,” DeChambeau said of the draw in a match neither duo led by more than 1 up. “Frustrating, but we fought hard. It was a hard-fought fight to the end.
“We definitely had the upper hand. We had a lot more opportunities to do things and just didn’t take advantage of those.”
Scheffler, a Ryder Cup rookie, marvelled at his chance to see his partner’s tremendous shot up close.
“That was probably the most excited he’s ever been on a golf course was on No 5,” Scheffler said.
“That wind, we had it on one of our practice days and we figured out what he needed to do, so to have an opportunity to do that in competition was amazing. I was jacked up for him as well.”
Scheffler was stunned DeChambeau could commit a full-powered blast to such a shot given where he was aiming.
“I think he pushed it a little bit, but he smashed it, so thankfully he pushed it just a touch,” Scheffler said.
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© Agence France-Presse
