PGA: Bryson DeChambeau looks for third straight playoff win, history
By Sam Ofman
![PARAMUS, NJ - AUGUST 26: Bryson DeChambeau waits to play his tee shot on the first hole during the final round of THE NORTHERN TRUST at Ridgewood Country Club on August 26, 2018 in Paramus, New Jersey. (Photo by Stan Badz/PGA TOUR) PARAMUS, NJ - AUGUST 26: Bryson DeChambeau waits to play his tee shot on the first hole during the final round of THE NORTHERN TRUST at Ridgewood Country Club on August 26, 2018 in Paramus, New Jersey. (Photo by Stan Badz/PGA TOUR)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/31d292ee31ef8f938b62ebcd9d96c6fe1288f3b7ac7b68c2b7c3934920990886.jpg)
The unconventional golfer notched his second consecutive Playoff victory at the Dell Technologies Championship, putting him on the verge of joining an esteemed group.
Bryson DeChambeau knows what it takes to win a PGA Tour event. He’s done it four times since turning pro in 2016. Still, every time he tees it up he knows his chances to win are slim. But lately, the numbers have started to skew in his favor. It doesn’t take a statistician to see how the math has changed for Bryson. Here’s the formula:
- 100G (PP) +DtC / SdSL = Bryson DeChambeau
That’s 100 Golfers multiplied by Playoff Pressure plus distance to the FedEx Cup’s next tournament cut line divided by the standard deviation of a player’s irons’ shaft length. It all adds up to Bryson DeChambeau never losing another tournament.
Numbers don’t lie.
DeChambeau cruised to victory in both the Northern Trust and the Dell Technologies, giving him a substantial lead over the field (more than 2,300 points) in the race for the FedEx Cup. You could say he won DeChambeauth of those events.
If the famously mathematical golfer can calculate his way to a third straight victory at the BMW, Bryson will be well-positioned for a $10 million payday at East Lake. More importantly, he’ll join some elite company.
Winning three straight starts on the PGA Tour isn’t unprecedented, but it’s definitely a noteworthy achievement. It’s been done eight times since 1980, and only 29 times in PGA Tour history. DeChambeau has a chance to join the ranks of contemporary stars like Dustin Johnson (2017) and Rory McIlroy (2014), as well as iconic players like Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan (Hogan did it twice in one year).
If you’re anything like me you had a moment on Sunday while watching DeChambeau execute his robotic swing when you thought, “Maybe I should try this.” You probably shouldn’t. Besides, before the golf world dives headfirst into the DeChambeau revolution, consider the fact that he more than likely won’t win the BMW, and it’s just as fun to try to replicate Brooks Koepka’s swing.
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I’m all for Bryson Boosting while he maintains his hot streak, but we can’t lose sight of the fact that it’s only been two weeks. Our friend Tiger Woods has won three consecutive starts, too. And Tiger did it twice.
Oh, and he won five starts in a row between 2007 and 2008.
Oh, and he won six in a row back in 1999 and 2000.
Oh, and Woods won seven in a row between 2006 and 2007.
DeChambeau’s consistency and ability to handle the pressure of the playoffs have solidified his place among today’s best players. He’s made a name for himself. If he keeps playing at this level, that name may wind up listed beside the most legendary figures in golf history.