Bryson DeChambeau: 2021 FedEx Cup Contender or Pretender?
By Tim Letcher
Bryson DeChambeau is one of the stars on the PGA Tour. He won his first major in 2020. Can he contend for the 2021 FedEx Cup?
With the 2020 portion of the PGA Tour schedule in the books, we at Pro Golf Now will be taking a look at the current top 50, and some selected others, in the current FedEx Cup standings and whether they are contenders or pretenders for the 2021 FedEx Cup. Our latest subject is the current No. 2, Bryson DeChambeau.
Best career FedEx Cup finish: DeChambeau has played four seasons on the PGA Tour and has made it to the Tour Championship three times. His best finish came at the end of the 2018 season, when he won on tour three times. He would finish third in the final FedEx Cup standings that season. Last year, he finished 22nd in those same standings.
More from Golf News
- Golf Rumors: LIV set to sign Masters Champion in stunning deal
- Brutal return leaves Will Zalatoris looking towards 2024
- Stars You Know at World Champions Cup Starts Thursday at Concession
- 2023 Hero World Challenge Predictions: The Return Of Tiger Woods?
- RSM Classic Brings the controversial 2023 PGA Tour Season to a close
So far this season: DeChambeau has played just three events on the PGA Tour so far this season. But he has made the most of his limited opportunities.
His season opened at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot, where yours truly said he was not a contender (stupid, I know). He opened with a 69 on Thursday, then had a 68 on Friday. He trailed Patrick Reed by one shot heading to the weekend.
On Saturday, DeChambeau shot 70, while Matthew Wolff charged into the lead with a 65. Still, DeChambeau was just two shots back with 18 holes to play. On Sunday, he had the round of the day, shooting 67 to turn a two-shot deficit into a six-shot win. It was his first major championship title.
After taking three weeks off, DeChambeau head to Las Vegas to play in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. There, he was seen as a heavy favorite to win.
And that’s how he played on day one, firing a 62 to grab the early lead.
He followed that with a 67 on Friday. But on Saturday, he slipped to a 71 with a wild round. Even his 66 on Sunday could not save him, as DeChambeau finished in a tie for eighth place.
His final start of 2020 came at the Masters. Again, he was one of the favorites heading to Augusta National. But he never really got things going.
DeChambeau shot 70 on Thursday, then 74 on Friday. He made the cut, but was well back after 36 holes.
Next. Tony Finau Being Sued for Nearly $16 million. dark
A 69 on Saturday moved him up the leader board a bit, but a 73 on Sunday left him at 2-under par. That was enough to allow him to finish in a tie for 34th, which made some people happy.
The verdict: DeChambeau has proven that he has the game to compete with anyone. His bomb and gouge style seems to be working for him. Consider him a contender for the 2021 FedEx Cup.