DeChambeau 'humbled' by outpouring of support after his US Open win

COLLEGE GROVE, Tenn. – They touched it in Pinehurst, at the No. 2 course as well as the street where his rental house was located, the neighbors coming out to join in the late-night celebration.

They touched it in Manhattan during his New York City media blitz that included appearances on NBC’s Today Show as well as Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show.

And they’re touching it here at The Grove, site of this week’s LIV Golf Nashville. LIV Golf staffers feted him Tuesday at the clubhouse entrance, and media folks attending his press conference Wednesday all had the privilege. 

Everyone who wants to touch the U.S. Open trophy has had a chance. Bryson DeChambeau is not turning anybody away.

“Probably a couple thousand by now at least,” DeChambeau said when asked to estimate the number of people who have touched the trophy since his victory Sunday evening. “And it’s going to increase. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The Crushers GC captain obviously has struck a feel-good nerve with his touch-the-trophy declaration following his tense one-shot win over Rory McIlroy. It’s the second U.S. Open victory of his career, but the first one came in 2020 during Covid, when nobody was touching anything that hadn’t first been sterilized.

DeChambeau’s willingness to engage with fans and invite them on his journey – whether from afar via his popular YouTube videos, or up close with constant high-fives between holes or simply displaying unfiltered emotions – have transformed him from nerdy Mad Scientist to endearing People’s Champion. 

“I’m humbled. Very humbled by it,” DeChambeau said.

During his 30-minute press conference Wednesday, with the U.S. Open trophy and the Jack Nicklaus medal nearby, DeChambeau talked about the response from golf fans in the 72 hours since his winning par putt dropped following an incredible 55-yard bunker shot on the 72nd hole. 

“When I was younger, I felt like I was called to do something in the game,” he explained. “Getting to this point in my life where I've had struggles, I've done some things I shouldn't have done, said some things I shouldn't have said, and messing up and learning from those mistakes and learning patience, resilience, determination, continuing to grow in that capacity – and then getting to a place where I finally get to showcase my true self and show others what this great game means to me. It's given me so much. It's time for me to give back.

“That's what I love most. That's why this was so important for everyone to touch the trophy. I wanted everybody to experience it because it wasn't just for me, it was for the turnaround, everyone looking at me going, wow, that person is different than what I thought. It was for them, those people that saw who I now am, who I am. That's what I wanted people to feel is that involvement, that appreciation from me saying thank you. It meant a lot.”

As he spoke, tears started to well up. Presented with numbers that reflect his increased popularity – 150,000 new followers across his social platforms, a 250% increase in Google search, significant demand for LIV Golf Nashville tickets and Crushers merchandise – DeChambeau could only shake his head and rub his eyes.

For some, they may just be data points. But for DeChambeau, who majored in physics at SMU and is at the cutting edge of analytics and technology to enhance his performance, numbers are his language. Numbers come with emotion. 

Consequently, emotions are driving the numbers. 

There was the 240% increase in average daily ticket sales for Nashville. Although the event was already headed towards becoming LIV Golf's highest-attended event in the U.S., DeChambeau's win sparked additional interest, with grounds passes sold out for Saturday.

There’s the 308% increase in LIV Golf merchandise sales in the last seven days, and a 985% increase in Crushers-specific items.

"Crushers GC merchandise has certainly become a hot seller with Bryson's U.S. Open win,” said Rita Kim, LIV Golf’s Senior Vice President, Retail & Merchandising. “After selling out of the most popular items, we've increased our stock this week to meet all the demand, both online and here this week in Nashville."

All that is on top of the viewing numbers for Sunday’s final round at Pinehurst. Not only was it the most-watched East Coast (non-prime time) U.S. Open since 2013, but the final round peak of 11.4 million viewers is the highest in nine years, no matter the location.

Numbers like those are indicative of DeChambeau's acceptance by a golfing world that hasn’t always appreciated or understood his quirkiness, or accepted his decision to join LIV Golf, even though he has thrived in its team environment.

“I haven’t truly cried yet, and I don’t want this to be the time I cry,” he said. “I’ve got to just say I’m humbled by all of it. I never would have thought that from a year-and-a-half ago, things would be where they’re at right now.”

Since receiving the U.S. Open trophy on the 18th green Sunday, the ensuing hours have been a whirlwind. There was a night to celebrate – he drank wine out of the trophy, followed by bashing glow-in-the-dark golf balls – then a day in New York followed by another flight Tuesday to Nashville. 

He's had precious little sleep – “12 hours, maybe,” he said. Much like he did inside the ropes at Pinehurst, De Chambeau has been riding the last 72 hours on the adrenaline fueled by fan support. 

At some point, it will hit him. Even the seemingly indefatigable DeChambeau has his limits. He’s hoping it happens before teeing off on the first hole Friday at The Grove.

“There’s going to be an adrenaline dump here in the next day probably, and I’ve got to get myself back up and ready for Friday,” he said. “I feel like I've done a pretty good job of controlling a lot of the uncontrollables that I didn't know was going to come from this, and we've just got to keep on the path and give the fans an exciting weekend. That's what I'm here for.”

Then, with his press conference over, DeChambeau started toward the exit, as the next item on his busy calendar awaited. Even so, it took several minutes to reach the door. Those who had just watched him hold back tears were now lined up to touch the trophy and perhaps grab a quick selfie. DeChambeau was only happy to oblige each extended hand.