It would be tough to top the kind of drama that Bryson DeChambeau found himself part of in 2021.
And yet despite some strong play at times, he did not win again, posting a total of six top-10 finishes in 20 worldwide events.
By Saturday, the circumstances presented themselves, and DeChambeau hit a 370-yard tee shot on the 555-yard hole that ended 50 yards from the green.
His exploits dominated the discussion, but his victory was impressive, too, on a demanding course with Westwood sticking with DeChambeau until the final hole.
DeChambeau did not disappoint at the Ryder Cup, where he drove the first green during his Sunday singles match, a 417-yard bomb that set up a lengthy eagle putt — which he rolled in.
Not too many felt it was a good idea for DeChambeau to compete in the Professional Long Drivers Association World Championships.
Less than two years after embarking on a profound weight-gaining and strength-building program, DeChambeau was more than competitive at the event.
He held his own against the absolute best and made the final eight in his first try after coming from the Ryder Cup.
This took on all sorts of forms over the past six months, some of it going beyond silly.
He innocently walked along a path from the scoring area to the locker room following the second round of the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, and was apparently bemoaning his fate to those around him.
The “Let’s Go Brooksy” chants that became common at tournaments and that were meant to annoy DeChambeau did get under the golfer’s skin but were largely lame.
“It’s not a good face for me and we’re still trying to figure out how to make it good on the mishits.
That did not go over very well with his equipment maker and endorser, Cobra.
On the 13th hole, his foot slipped during his tee shot, leading to a double-bogey 7 that effectively dropped him out of contention.
“I had to be a little lucky, and I was for the first 3½ days and just didn’t get luck on the last nine,” he explained.
Jude Invitational, where despite having lost 10 pounds and feeling some fatigue, he told reporters he did not regret his decision to not get vaccinated against the coronavirus — and added some erroneous information.
“I’m young enough, I’d rather give it to people who need it.
In August — as is the case today — there was no vaccine shortage in the United States.
The fact that he missed the cut was the least of his problems. On the eve of the tournament, DeChambeau and longtime caddie Tim Tucker split.