Bryson DeChambeau reminds everyone he’s still really good at golf

Bryson DeChambeau nearly shoots 59 at the BMW Championship and shows what he’s capable of when he’s playing his best

It’s easy to forget with all the controversies, theatrics, and rivalries that constantly surround Bryson DeChambeau that he’s still capable of overpowering a golf course unlike any other player on the PGA Tour.

He did it on Friday in the second round of the BMW Championship at Caves Valley. DeChambeau flirted with what would’ve been the 14th round of 59 in PGA Tour history, shooting a 12-under 60 to take the lead through two rounds in the second leg of the FedEx Cup.

DeChambeau gave himself a shot at history on the par-five 16th. Already 10-under on his round, he found the rough near the cart path and faced a second shot from 253 yards out. His iron shot went to the back of the green, caught a slope, and rolled to within two feet for a tap-in eagle. Needing only a birdie on either of his last two holes, he missed a 15-foot putt on the 17th and a six-footer on the 18th to settle for a career-best 60.

“I think it’s just trying to hit your line and find the right speed. I had the right speed, I just misread the putt,” he told Golf Channel about the missed chance on 18. “So one of those things that it was an awesome opportunity. I had a couple shots, a couple birdie opportunities at 17 and 18, and didn’t happen but still really proud of the way I handled myself, and it’s great to feel some pressure again which is awesome.”

DeChambeau showed why, when his game and mind are right, he’s the most formidable player on the tour right now. On a 7,542-yard course and in wet, muddy conditions that doesn’t offer much roll, he averaged just 106 yards into the par-fours. He reached all four par-fives in two shots and made two eagles and eight birdies. He leads the field so far in the second round averaging 347 yards off the tee The six-footer at the last hole was the only putt he missed inside 10 feet.

Controversies taking away from Bryson DeChambeau’s game

But the tragedy of DeChambeau’s season is that this dominant player often lets off-the-course stories distract from what he does on the course. He’s had a tumultuous relationship with the media (DeChambeau again declined to speak to reporters on Friday). His complaint about his driver at the Open Championship led to an open rebuke from his sponsor, Cobra. Fans still taunt him over his rivalry with Brooks Koepka.

It’s begun to affect his game. DeChambeau hasn’t won since March and has only one top-10 finish over his last nine events. He collapsed on the back-nine at the U.S. Open and did it again at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational three weeks ago.

Friday was a different day. DeChambeau looked as calm and relaxed as he has in a long time. His 16-under score through two rounds is the best of his PGA Tour career. He currently leads by one as the afternoon wave is in a weather delay.

He didn’t quite make PGA Tour history on Friday. But he did show something: when he’s at his best, there is no golfer better than him right now.