DeChambeau takes the reins

Bryson's aggressive play opens up a lead at U.S, Open; Åberg gets Donald Rossed

Bryson DeChambeau (Logan Whitton/USGA)

On the way to trying to win his second major title, Bryson DeChambeau made recovery shots on Saturday at Pinehurst No. 2 that even Harry Houdini would not attempt, much less pull off. He needed only 25 putts around Donald Ross’ devilish greens that scare the best in the game. And he watched as the prodigy Swede — Ludvig Åberg — unraveled a bit.

It was a masterful performance to stake himself to a three-shot lead and showed the world of professional golf is in a very good place, if the so-called leaders of the game would just get out of the way and let the talent shine.

There is no debate that a younger DeChambeau was a difficult person to get to know and could come off peevish and petulant.

It wasn’t his intent, but it was what he portrayed.

Then DeChambeau left for LIV Golf in 2022 and, over time, the rough edges of his personality softened and the true DeChambeau has emerged like the Phoenix arising from the fire in Greek mythology.

The fans love what has become the potential savior of professional golf.

“Just thinking back three years ago, the landscape was a lot different. I tried to show everybody who I was. I didn't do it the right way and could have done a lot of things better,” DeChambeau admitted. “I'm lucky enough to have a great team around me to help me move in the right direction with the content that we're producing, social media, and then also just a great perspective on life.”

With one round left in the 124th U.S. Open, DeChambeau has a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay and Matthieu Pavon, which means nothing around Ross’ torture chamber known as No. 2.

If he keeps his head, DeChambeau will arrive in Scotland with his second U,S. Open win in his back pocket and be the favorite to win at Royal Troon.

All of this will potentially build a wave of support for DeChambeau and potentially for LIV.

It could also be the push needed to give the PGA Tour board impetus to get a deal done with the PIF.

But one thing at a time. U.S. Open Sunday awaits.

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Ludvig Åberg (Chris Keane/USGA)

Oh dear, Åberg

At 24 years old, Ludvig Åberg is still learning.

His most recent lesson came Saturday on the 13th hole at Pinehurst No. 2 on a warm day with a hard and fast golf course and a pursuer that became the prey.

Making a triple bogey in a major championship is usually a death knell, and it might turn out to be for the Swede. He dropped from 5-under and just two back to 2-under and five behind with the stroke of the pencil.

Ending up five shots behind Bryson DeChambeau, Åberg put on a brave face after a 3-over 73.

“Obviously what happened to me on 13 is not ideal,” Åberg said. “It doesn't necessarily change the way that you try to approach this golf course. I think there's only a certain way you can play it. If you don't play that way, you're going to get punished. That's what I did.”

Åberg was punished.  

It’s a slim margin for error on Pinehurst’s greens and surrounds, with a devilish twist around every corner.  

For Åberg, he started slowly and never really got out of first gear after two days of exceptional control. On Sunday, he won’t be able to change his approach, and will have to hope for some better luck when the game goes a little sideways.

“I felt like basically the whole day wasn't as sharp as it was yesterday, I didn't feel like I executed the shots the way I wanted to,” Åberg said.  “It's just one of them days that the environment, the situation — I guess the golf course — kind of bites back. It is what it is. Hopefully we'll be out tomorrow and shoot a good score.”