U.S. Amateur champ DeChambeau headed to Dubai Desert Classic
12/29/2015 | by Golfweek
With a second place finish in the Australian Masters under his belt, Bryson DeChambeau takes his game to the desert to see how he stacks up against the pros
By Allen Etiler for Golfweek
U.S. Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau is headed in February to compete in the Dubai Desert Classic, after receiving a sponsor exemption for the event, according to a Blot Post report.
The quirky 22-year-old, who left college after his school, Southern Methodist University, got slapped with sanctions and the team received a postseason ban for 2016, finished second in the Australian Masters last month.
In 2015, DeChambeau became the fifth player in history to win the NCAA and U.S. Amateur titles in history, putting himself in good company with Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Ryan Moore.
DeChambeau is expected to remain an Amateur at least until this year's Masters and U.S. Open, which he has exemptions to play in after winning the Amateur. But many are expecting him to turn pro at some point this year.
“It will be my first visit to Dubai, but I have heard many good things about the city from fellow players and know the tournament attracts a very strong field each year,” said DeChambeau, a former physics major at SMU. “If you look at the roll of honors [past winners], it’s so impressive with some of the greatest players in the game such as Seve Ballesteors, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy becoming proud owners of the giant Arabian coffee pot [winner’s trophy] that holds special significance to the players.”
DeChambeau will have some stiff competition in the event, as defending champ Rory McIlroy is expected to play, and the Dubai Desert Classic is one of the top European Tour tournaments.
U.S. Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau is headed in February to compete in the Dubai Desert Classic, after receiving a sponsor exemption for the event, according to a Blot Post report.
The quirky 22-year-old, who left college after his school, Southern Methodist University, got slapped with sanctions and the team received a postseason ban for 2016, finished second in the Australian Masters last month.
In 2015, DeChambeau became the fifth player in history to win the NCAA and U.S. Amateur titles in history, putting himself in good company with Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Ryan Moore.
DeChambeau is expected to remain an Amateur at least until this year's Masters and U.S. Open, which he has exemptions to play in after winning the Amateur. But many are expecting him to turn pro at some point this year.
“It will be my first visit to Dubai, but I have heard many good things about the city from fellow players and know the tournament attracts a very strong field each year,” said DeChambeau, a former physics major at SMU. “If you look at the roll of honors [past winners], it’s so impressive with some of the greatest players in the game such as Seve Ballesteors, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy becoming proud owners of the giant Arabian coffee pot [winner’s trophy] that holds special significance to the players.”
DeChambeau will have some stiff competition in the event, as defending champ Rory McIlroy is expected to play, and the Dubai Desert Classic is one of the top European Tour tournaments.
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