After securing his second US Open title, Bryson DeChambeau paid tribute to the late Payne Stewart.
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Bryson DeChambeau calls Payne Stewart his hero.
Growing up, he wore an ivy hat as a tribute to the late Stewart (and Ben Hogan). DeChambeau followed in his idol’s footsteps as he attended SMU, thanks to a big influence on Stewart. And this week, as he walks the Pinehurst No. 2 – Stewart’s second US Open title – the ’99 champion was never far from DeChambeau’s mind as he hung a white cap from his bag.
“It’s with me and it makes me think of him every time I go through these places,” said DeChambeau. “He means a lot to me in this game.”
The similarities between DeChambeau and Stewart grew as the week wore on at the 124th US Open.
Many remember Stewart for his contributions to the game. He is known as one of the greatest managers golf has ever seen. Heck, there’s even an annual award in his honor for a player who honors and uplifts the game’s traditions. But what gets lost in that beautiful reminder is that it wasn’t always like that for Stewart. For most of his early career, he was known as the brash, arrogant guy on Tour.
In the last few years of his life, Stewart worked to change that reputation — and he did. And by the time he won his last US Open in 1999, he was already one of the most popular figures on the Tour.
DeChambeau’s career followed a similar arc. Before he defected to the LIV Tour, DeChambeau didn’t have one of golf’s highest ratings. There were many instances where he rubbed people the wrong way (on purpose or not) and his immaturity got him into hot water more than a few times. He’s been a punching bag for fans and social media pundits alike, and some are celebrating his departure from the PGA Tour.
Watching his reception this week, you’d never know this it was the same DeChambeau. The “Brosy!”s were over. taunts and other jokes from the gallery. Instead, they were replaced by songs of DeChambeau’s name. For the first time in his career, he had the full support of his fans.
“It means a lot to me,” DeChambeau said of the fan support. “If I think back three years ago, the situation in the country was very different. I tried to show everyone who I am. I didn’t do it right and I could have done a lot of things better.”
The Stewart-DeChambeau similarities didn’t stop there. The ways in which the two captured their second US Open titles were similar, too.
In ’99, Stewart stopped in the middle of the 16th fairway one shot off the lead. On this hot and dusty Sunday in Pinehurst, DeChambeau did just that. Stewart capitalized on Phil Mickelson’s missed par putt on the 16th green, while DeChambeau struggled when Rory McIlroy missed his own par putt.
Each man needed a par to defend the title on the 18th, and each missed the fairway, finding a lie that made hitting the green impossible. Stewart has been able to get up and down the fairway to ensure consistent saves over the years. DeChambeau followed in his idol’s footsteps, earning his second US Open title.
“That’s Payne over there, baby,” DeChambeau said as he walked onto the green.
As he received the trophy on the 18th green, DeChambeau had one last trophy saved in Stewart’s honor. He took off his baseball cap and placed it on the table. After that, he took the ivy cap and put it on his head.
A fitting nod to a man who has walked in his shoes before.
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