Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning US Open champion, put on a spirited performance but ultimately fell short of catching compatriot Ollie Schniederjans in the final round of the International Series India presented by DLF.
Staged at the formidable DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram, this inaugural event of 10 elevated tournaments on the Asian Tour offered a tantalising pathway for players chasing a coveted spot in the LIV Golf League through the end-of-season rankings.
DeChambeau showcased flashes of brilliance on Sunday, yet found himself hampered by a few costly mistakes. Reflecting on his performance, he said:
“Yeah, look, I scored really well the final round, I made a lot of great putts. Got off to a hot start on 18 after making double on 17 (final hole of the third round, which was completed before the final round).
“I mean, it really hurt. Number 17 I played in four over this week, it’s an iron wedge shot, and it beat me. I would have had a better chance but I made those mistakes. But, you know, I’m pleased with how I performed and played. Not pleased with how I struck the ball for some reason. It’s wild, I was hitting it so well, I played a ‘Break 50’ a couple weeks ago and was hitting so well a week and a half ago. I was in the Bahamas and I was hitting it so well, so I don’t know what happened.
“I got to figure it out for Riyadh this coming week (the season-opener on the LIV Golf League). But first, I want to say thank you to DLF and everyone that’s associated here in India, the Asian Tour, it’s been incredible. The hospitality – fantastic. Everything you guys talked it up to be it came true, so you guys have done a fabulous job hosting me and the Crushers GC, Torque GC and Fireballs GC as well (players on the LIV Golf team). I mean we have extreme thanks for you guys in getting this round completed and finished on Sunday. So it’s been a treat all week.”
Asked about the enthusiastic crowds, DeChambeau was quick to praise the local energy:
“India is ready for golf to explode here. I see it, I believe it, Baan (Crushers GC team mate Anirban Lahiri) has been talking about it. It’s now the truth, and hopefully I’m able to help, we are able to help, the Crushers GC, all of LIV is able to help inspire a younger generation.”
When the conversation turned to champion Ollie Schniederjans, the Texan had high praise for his former college rival:
“Ollie is a great, incredible golfer, he beat my butt in college numerous times. So it was really really impressive to see how well he’s playing, and I wish I could have given him a run for my money, but I was not prepared.
Not as prepared as I could have been, and unfortunately, I didn’t give him a run. But he’s a well-deserved champion, and he deserves every, every bit of the accolades that comes with it.”
DeChambeau, no stranger to demanding venues, also tipped his cap to the challenging layout at DLF Golf and Country Club:
“I mean, it’s visually intimidating. This golf course is set up to where you have to strike your ball really well, and if you don’t, you’re gonna get penalised.
There’s Mayakoba is another one that’s really difficult as well. I kind of liken it a bit to Mayakoba, where it’s tight off the tee, visually, has hazards on both sides.
So it’s a really difficult test of golf. The one that can show your game’s weak spots for sure.
And that’s what I like about going into the season, having a good test like that to prepare me for the season.”
With The International Series off to a roaring start, fans in India and beyond will be closely following the action as these elevated events unfold.
For more information on The International Series, visit: www.internationalseries.com
