Paramus, New Jersey …
Bryson DeChambeau attended the 2016 Ryder Cup as a spectator but now after last fortnight’s disappointment in losing out on automatic 2018 USA Team qualification the American is determined to earn one of Captain Jim Furyk’s four ‘wildcard’ picks.
This is after the DeChambeau stormed four shots clear of his rivals as he looks to now boost hopes of securing a maiden USA Ryder Cup appearance with victory in the Northern Trust in New Jersey.
DeChambeau 24, birdied six of closing 11 holes in a PGA Tour career-low eight-under par 63 on day three of the opening FedEx Cup ‘Play-Off’ series event on the Ridgewood Country Club course in Paramus.
Bryson DeChambeau lead by four heading to the final round of the 2018 Northern Trust.
Victory, and a third in his short PGA Tour career, would see DeChambeau go to the top of the FedEx Cup points standing.
The now Dallas-based DeChambeau, and reigning Memorial champion, birdied his second, third and sixth holes before his only bogey of the round at the seventh ahead of birdies at eight and nine to draw level with Keegan Bradley and the clubhouse leader on 12-under and after the 2011 champion had signed for a 62.
DeChambeau then moved to 14-under par with birdies at 11 and 12 before stretching his advantage to four shots holing a tap-in birdie on the par-5 17th and then a 17-foot birdie gem at the last.
“I just felt like every time I was able to hit it in the fairway, I was attacking flags,” he said. “My golf swing was feeling great and my putting, that’s been the key this week for me is I’ve been rolling my rock really, really well, and it’s thanks to the sick putter guys, they have been doing a great job for me and just a little bit of a line adjustment, too, for whatever reason, that’s been helping me out.”
DeChambeau had been lying eighth on the USA Ryder Cup points table ahead of last fortnight’s PGA Championship in St. Louis, and the final 2018 USA Team ‘top-8’ qualifying event.
However, Webb Simpson’s share of 19th and with DeChambeau missing the halfway cut, saw Simpson go ahead of his younger compatriot to secure a Versailles place.
“I knew once I missed the cut, I was not going to have a chance to make the top-eight,” said DeChambeau.
“That was really disappointing and especially with the way it happened. I knew that I’m good enough, especially after playing so well this year, to be on that team.
“I can’t look at it as that anymore. I’ve just got to look at it as each week is unique, and yeah, I can’t focus on having — how this affects The Ryder Cup.
“Each week is unique and I’ve got to play my best each and every week, and if I play well in the FedExCup Playoffs, the rest will speak for itself. That’s all you can do.”
Keegan Bradley had earlier produced his lowest round in seven years posting nine birdies in a nine-under par 62 to end the round in second place at 12-under par total.
