Abu DHABI // Bryson DeChambeau certainly stands out from the crowd.
First, there’s the name, obviously, then the flat cap, worn in tribute to Ben Hogan and Payne Stewart. That’s not the only distinction, either, since he plays with a set of irons cut all to the same length, based on a theory that no doubt finds root in his college major in physics.
But the most recent revelation arrived at Thursday’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, when DeChambeau concluded his first round at a European Tour event at the top of the leaderboard.
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The amateur, who plans to graduate to the professional ranks after the Masters in April, posted an 8-under par 64, bettering world No 5 Henrik Stenson by one, and world No 3 and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy by two.
So when a journalist suggested post-round that he was an altogether different beast, DeChambeau simply responded: “Just a little bit.”
On Thursday, his golf was a different class. DeChambeau, playing on a sponsors’ invite and keen to stress his gratitude, fired seven birdies, one eagle and a bogey. Even at just 22, and without any major-tour time under his belt, he attempted to play it all down.
“Shooting 64 was pretty cool, I guess,” he said. “Not too bad on your first start on the European Tour.”
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You think? Then again, DeChambeau says, given his education and consequently his relentlessly inquisitive mind, that he endeavours to eliminate all sentiment from his game.
“I’m a golfing scientist, so I don’t take it with any emotion,” he said. “I’m trying to analyse and understand every aspect of the course and the way I played, as well. I’ll analyse today and see what I can do better at tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”
A relative novice, DeChambeau confirmed he came into the week without any expectations, much like the substantially-more-hardened Stenson. The Swede, seeking to complete the Desert Swing set by clinching the Falcon Trophy at the 11th attempt, underwent knee surgery in December, so merely playing a full competitive round represented a success.
The opening 65, built upon eight birdies, was a rather pleasant bonus.
“Best start I’ve had here in years, possibly ever,” said Stenson, who logged runner-up finishes in Abu Dhabi in 2006 and 2008. Last year, he missed the cut.
Having lived in Dubai for 10 years until 2012, and counting Jumeirah Golf Estates as one of his sponsors, he clearly loves competing in the UAE. So much so that Abu Dhabi was always ringed on his calendar, irrespective of what stage he was at with the rehab for his knee.
“What is there not to like?” Stenson said. “Good course, good field, good practice, good hotel – how much should I keep going? They look after us really well.
“That’s why I really pushed to make my 2016 debut here. Even though it’s touch and go with the knee, I really didn’t want to miss it.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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