Bryson DeChambeau is in the midst of a babyface turn that should be studied for generations. Long thought of as golf’s odd and angry duck, Bryson has become a total fan favorite this year at the sport’s major championships and is seeing huge crowd support at the US Open. After a terrific third round, he has a three shot lead heading into the final round on Sunday with a golden opportunity to win his second US Open.
How did DeChambeau go from curmudgeonly anti-socialite and constantly receiving jeers from the crowd to man of the people? He has clearly grown over the last few years, and become almost a completely new person. He has often credited his YouTube channel for the turnaround and being able to show a new side of his personality. He even said after Round 3 that YouTube “changed his life” for embracing entertainment and his newfound connection with the fans.
That continued after the round as he signed autographs and had a hilarious moment in his Saturday night press conference. DeChambeau was asked about a very unique technique that he uses to find the smallest advantage in his game and that led to a legendary exchange about salty balls.
Yes, salty balls.
Bryson explains his “Salty Balls.”
Truly a one of one. pic.twitter.com/5GCqddFj4l
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) June 16, 2024
“Thanks for the salty balls question, I appreciate that,” DeChambeau said.
He then went on to explain a very scientific process about soaking golf balls in Epsom salt to try to find how the golf ball is balanced through the manufacturing process. Even while he was on golf’s naughty list, DeChambeau’s physics background always made him one of the most interesting players on tour. But now he’s able to bring everyone inside his mind in a way that is funny and endearing.
“Yea, I put my golf balls in Epsom salt. Essentially we float golf balls in a solution to make sure the golf ball is not out of balance,” DeChambeau explained. “There was a big thing back in the day where golf balls were out of balance. And it’s just because the manufacturing process there’s always going to be an error, especially when it’s a sphere and there’s dimples on the edges. You can’t perfectly get it in the center.”
Bryson totally embraced the question and response and while sleeping on the 54 hole lead at the US Open, made a joke about salting his balls on X.
Yes, I salt my ballspic.twitter.com/K9pZs5E6d8
— Bryson DeChambeau (@b_dechambeau) June 16, 2024
While Bryson is all smiles, that’s not necessarily true of everyone in his camp. There are still signs of the bad blood that exists in golf, especially when it comes to his departure from the PGA Tour, signing up with LIV, and all the negative press he has received over the years. No Laying Up’s Kevin Van Valkenberg reported on an incident between DeChambeau’s agent and NBC/Golf Channel’s Damon Hack after the third round regarding the coverage of his client over the years. Even though talks are progressing to re-unify the sport once again, it’s a sign that all won’t quickly be forgotten from the toxic LIV-PGA Tour split.
But for now, Bryson is soaking up all the love from the golf world. Hopefully for the good of the game, the Bryson DeChambeau face turn can one day be seen again on the PGA Tour soon.
