Bryson de Chambeau misses the 6-foot birdie putt at the 18th. He finishes the BMW Championship with a round 60. (0:22).
OWINGS MILLS (Md. For a long time, the Bryson DeChambeau experience felt like a spinning roulette wheel. Because almost anything is possible, it's difficult to predict the outcome.
DeChambeau's round at Friday's BMW Championship was further proof. He almost became the 12th player to break 60 during a competitive round of the PGA Tour, but he missed a 6-footer at No. 18 to shoot a 12-under-60.
In his 17 first holes at Caves Valley, he made eight birdies and one eagle. He missed the putt on 18, however, as he misread his break by just one hair.
DeChambeau said that he misread the putt but it was an amazing opportunity. I had several chances on 17 and 18 but it didn't happen. However, I am still proud of how I handled myself. It's wonderful to feel the pressure again.
Exclusive Club Bryson deChambeau missed a birdie opportunity on the 18th hole as he attempted to become the 12th player to shoot a 59 or higher in PGA Tour history. Golfer Score Year Jim Furyk 58 2016 Scottie Scheffler 59 2020 Kevin Chappell 59 2019 Brandt Snedeker 59 2018 Adam Hadwin 59 2017 Justin Thomas 59 2017 Jim Furyk 59 2013 Stuart Appleby 59 2010 Paul Goydos 59 2010 David Duval 59 1999 Chip Beck 59 1991 Al Geiberger 59 1977
It was yet another memorable moment in DeChambeau’s already remarkable career.
He has demonstrated that he is capable of breaking any course record at any time. He could even misuse physics terms. He could drive 400 miles. He could even trash his equipment company. He could post photos of himself eating bacon shirtless to Instagram. After missing a fairway, he could claim that he is being threatened by fire ants. He could win a major championship by winning a blowout.
He's not boring, no matter what you think.
Caves Valley, which has never hosted a PGA Tour event before this week, was softened by rain days prior to the tournament. Players were permitted to lift, clean, and place balls on the fairway during the first round. DeChambeau almost did it, but that does not diminish the importance of what he did.
If the final putt had been made, it would have marked the first time that a player has shot 59 on a course that is longer than 7,400 yards.
Jim Furyk holds a PGA Tour record for the lowest round. He shot a 58 at 2016's Travelers Championship. He also shot a 59 in Conway Farms north Chicago in 2013. This is still his BMW Championship record.
DeChambeau is currently leading the FedEx Cup playoffs' second leg by 1 shot at 16 under 128, 1 shot ahead Patrick Cantlay. World No. World No. 1 Jon Rahm was also 1 back through the 15 holes before play was stopped due to darkness. Round 2 will conclude Saturday morning with players being grouped into threesomes and going off on both sides for round 3.
DeChambeau declined to speak to reporters after the round. This is a continuation of a boycott that started after he revealed that he didn't plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Both of his playing partners were effusive in their praise for his performance.
"When he drives it that straight, it's going to be like the early 2000s with Tiger just hitting the track the furthest and straightest," Jordan Spieth, who was paired up with DeChambeau. It's quite cool to be able to witness the history of the race.
Harris English said: "Jordan, I was talking about it yesterday. If he keeps driving it that way, he can shoot anything he wants."
DeChambeau only hit seven fairways. However, he hit 16 greens with just 25 putts.
DeChambeau had already made it clear that he intended to attack Caves Valley from the first hole. His first drive was 343 yards long and just missed the green. On his way to a 29 on nine, he chipped to 10 feet and then made a birdie.
He was hot and birdied three of the five back nine holes.
The par-5 16th hole was his most memorable shot. He drove it into the rough and left himself 247 yards. He hit a massive 8-iron from there that landed on the green's back, and then trickled down towards the hole. This gave him a 2-foot eagle shot, which he completed.
He had two holes left to play and needed one more birdie in order to shoot 59. However, he could not get a putt on 17 or 18 despite two great approach shots.
"A lot of putts were made. DeChambeau stated that a lot of things went well. "We got a lot more great numbers out the rough today. I was a good sport and didn't think too much about anything except the last few holes. I was unable to putt those putts up after stripping a 9-iron on 17 and a drive on 17.
DeChambeau went to Caves Valley's putting green to practice his skills before the bad weather sets in. DeChambeau said that he still has things he wants to do.
