Bryson DeChambeau’s rise to greatness can be dated back to his victory at the Rocket Classic five years ago.
Before the days of his US Open major wins, DeChambeau was a player struggling to break into golf’s elite circle.
The California native would enter the 2020 Rocket Classic desperate for a PGA Tour victory after going 20 months without a win.
Luckily for DeChambeau, his wishes would come true, and he would be crowned winner at the Detroit Golf Club, with one change in his game playing a huge role in the victory.
Bryson DeChambeau made drastic change prior to Rocket Classic win
DeChambeau’s powerful hustle and bustle style has become a staple of the golfing roster, but there was a time when the two-major champ’s game was entirely different.
The golfing world was put on pause in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and DeChambeau would use that time off to pound on the muscle.
Once golf had resumed, DeChambeau had returned 45lbs heavier, with a newfound confidence and power to his game.
The US Open winner would go on to credit this physical change as the reason behind his win at the 2020 Rocket Classic.
“It’s a little emotional for me,” DeChambeau told reporters after lifting the trophy.
“Because I did do something a little different, I changed my body, I changed my mindset in the game, and was able to accomplish a win while playing a completely different style of golf.
“And it’s pretty amazing to see that and I hope it’s an inspiration to a lot of people that if they set their mind to it, you can accomplish it. It just takes a lot of hard work, a lot of figuring out things that you may not know and understand yet.
“If you keep going down the line and you keep working on it, figuring stuff out, eventually you’ll get a little bit better each and every day and hopefully that leads to something great in the end.”
DeChambeau is now reaping the rewards
It’s safe to say that DeChambeau’s decision to bulk up has more than paid off in the years that have followed.
Just two months after his win at the Rocket Classic, the Scientist would go on to win his first major at the US Open, dominating the field and finishing six shots ahead of his nearest opponent.
Bryson DeChambeau’s major wins:
- US Open (2020)
- US Open (2024)
DeChambeau would then double that tally in 2024, pipping Rory McIlroy at Pinehurst to win his second US Open title.
Given how powerful and confident he remains, you can bet DeChambeau has a few more major wins on the way in the near future.