Bryson DeChambeau wins first major with six-shot US Open triumph at Winged Foot

'The Scientist' finished a huge six shots clear of his nearest challenger
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Malik Ouzia @MalikOuzia_20 September 2020

Bryson DeChambeau has won his first major title after a producing a terrific final round at the US Open in New York.

DeChambeau had begun the day in second, two shots behind overnight leader Matthew Wolff. But on a day when no other player managed a below-par score on the notoriously tough Winged Foot course, the American shot a brilliant three-under 67 to finish six-under for the week, six shots clear of Wolff.

A fearless DeChambeau, whose final round included an eagle, two birdies and a bogey, attacked at every chance as he cruised to a maiden major at his 16th attempt.

The 27-year-old, who re-emerged from the PGA Tour's three-month COVID-19 suspension in mid-June packing serious muscle and hitting a startling distance off the tee, attacked Winged Foot all week like few other golfers can.

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So confident in his approach, DeChambeau unleashed his driver on practically every par-four and par-five hole as he figured the birdie chances would outweigh the risk that Winged Foot's nasty rough creates.

DeChambeau grabbed the solo lead after five holes, hit a perfectly-paced 40-foot eagle putt at the ninth to maintain a one-shot cushion in a tournament that came down to a two-horse race between him and Wolff as they made the turn.

Yet the 21-year-old Wolff, who was bidding to become the first player to win the U.S. Open in his tournament debut since Francis Ouimet in 1913, bogeyed the 10th and 14th holes before a double-bogey at 16.

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Former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen (73) birdied the last to finish alone in third place, a distant eight shots back of DeChambeau and one shot clear of Harris English (73), who made a double-bogey at the first where he lost his tee shot.

Xander Schauffele (74) looked ready to make a back-nine charge after making the turn fresh off back-to-back birdies but the world number seven made five consecutive bogeys from the 13th and finished fifth place.

Dustin Johnson (+5), who shot a rare even-par round was sixth, alongside Will Zatoris.

Rory McIlroy was the top European, finishing six-over in a tie for eighth with Webb Simpson, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau and Zach Johnson, while Lee Westwood was tied for 13th.

Additional reporting by Reuters.

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