"Hulk" DeChambeau's Comeback Victory "Cheers for 6 Career Wins"... "1.6 Billion Jackpot"

Rocket Mortgage Classic Final Day: 7-Under Par Victory by 3 Shots, Wolf 2nd, Kisner 3rd, Lee Kyoung-hoon 45th

Bryson DeChambeau cheers after making a birdie on the 18th hole on the final day of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Detroit, USA=Getty Images/Multivitz

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is a come-from-behind victory for 'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA).

On the 6th (Korean time) at Detroit Golf Club in Michigan, USA (par 72, 7,334 yards), DeChambeau surged with a 7-under-par final round to secure a 3-stroke victory (23-under-par 265) at the PGA Tour Rocket Mortgage Classic (total prize money $7.5 million). This is his first win of the 2020 season and his 6th PGA Tour victory overall, coming 1 year and 8 months after winning the 2018 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in November. The winner's prize money is $1.35 million (16.2 billion KRW).

Starting from a tie for second place, 3 strokes behind, DeChambeau racked up 8 birdies (1 bogey). He took the lead by shooting 4 strokes under par in the front nine with birdies on hole 1 (par 4), consecutive birdies on holes 3 and 4, and a birdie on hole 7 (par 5). On the back nine, after a birdie on hole 10 (par 4) was offset by a bogey on hole 14 (par 5), he sealed the victory with three consecutive birdies on holes 16 through 18 when he was being chased by a 1-stroke margin. His powerful driving distance averaging 360.5 yards was a key factor in his win.

DeChambeau is the player Americans call the 'post-Tiger.' In 2015, he caused a sensation by winning both the NCAA Division I Championship and the US Amateur simultaneously, and in September 2016, he easily secured his PGA Tour card by winning the Web.com (now Korn Ferry) Tour DAP Championship. He became a center of attention for his distinctive fashion, often wearing a hunting cap reminiscent of the late Payne Stewart, and his unconventional club setup that broke common norms.

Last year, he faced criticism over slow play controversies. He responded by saying, "Every player has a different playing style," and "I am not a selfish person." Recently, he made news by bulking up and experimenting with his driving power. He explained, "During the three months when the PGA Tour was suspended due to COVID-19, I gained 9 kg, reaching 109 kg." After finishing the 2019 season in September last year at 91 kg, he added 9 kg then and another 9 kg this time.

Along with dietary changes, he increased muscle mass through intense weight training. In fact, he ranked 2nd in average driving distance for the 2020 season (320.5 yards), a huge improvement compared to 34th place (302.5 yards) last year. During this tournament, he averaged 350.6 yards over four days. In the first round, he showcased his monstrous power with a maximum drive of 377 yards. DeChambeau exclaimed, "I'm happy to win after a long time," adding, "The birdie on the 16th hole was decisive."

Matthew Wolff is making a bunker shot on the 4th hole on the final day of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Detroit, USA=Getty Images/Multivitz

Previous day leader Matthew Wolff (USA) dropped to 2nd place (20-under-par 268), and Kevin Kisner (USA) finished 3rd (18-under-par 270). Two-time champion Webb Simpson (USA) ended the tournament tied for 8th place (15-under-par 273). The Korean contingent finished as follows: Lee Kyoung-hoon (29, CJ Logistics) tied for 45th (10-under-par 278), Im Sung-jae (22) tied for 53rd (9-under-par 279), and Kim Si-woo (25, CJ Logistics) and Noh Seung-yul (29, Isu Group) tied for 57th (8-under-par 280).