U.S. Open: Top 10 power rankings at Winged Foot

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Tony Finau of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Tony Finau of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 15: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States and caddie, Tim Tucker, talk on the second green during the third round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 15, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 15: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States and caddie, Tim Tucker, talk on the second green during the third round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 15, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

Can Bryson DeChambeau find a second wind? In the gym, I’m sure of it. On the golf course, I believe so.

He obviously kept busy over quarantine overhauling his body to pump driver with a ferocity we had yet to see. It paid off, at least in the short term. DeChambeau continued good pre-pandemic form into the summer when a streak of seven straight top-10s was capped with a win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

It was vindication for a guy who sparked curiosity, if not mockery, for his bulking up and odd behaviour.

It appears he ran out of gas he’s since missed a couple cuts and had a poor run at the FedEx Cup Playoffs. What was encouraging in recent weeks was his performance at the PGA Championship.

For as stellar of a career the 26 year old has had, he was devoid of a top 10 in 14 major starts. That changed when he contended for T-4th at the PGA Championship. He played well on Sunday, Collin Morikawa was just a little better.

DeChambeau just can’t get too squirrelly with the driver this week. His aggressive play works on the softer setups of the PGA Tour, but he can get into some trouble at Winged Foot if he’s not careful.

Distance does help at times, though, and he’s always a threat to make up ground quickly if needed. DeChambeau ranked first on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee (1.039 per round).

The putter has been somewhat of a secret weapon for him. He’s 10th in SG putting (.658) and first from inside 10 feet (91.2%).

DeChambeau has made three of five cuts at the U.S. Open, finishing T-15th, T-25th and T-35th when he played the weekend. He won a USGA event at the 2015 U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields.