US amateur champion DeChambeau to
play in Dubai Desert Classic
NEWS RELEASE
DUBAI— His confidence on a high after swinging his way into
record books, Bryson DeChambeau (pictured) is primed for a fresh challenge when the American makes
his maiden appearance in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club
from February 4 to 7.
Bringing his
own flair and exuberance to the game, the 22-year-old Californian announced his
arrival on the world stage in an emphatic manner when he won the US Amateur last
August, becoming only the fifth player to win the tournament and the
NCAA individual college title in the same year.
The
achievement put DeChambeau him in the elite company of Jack Nicklaus (1961), Phil
Mickelson (1990), Tiger Woods (1996) and Ryan Moore (2004) as the only other
players to win the NCAA and US Amateur titles in one season.
“I'm in golf
history, I can't believe it, but it’s an honour to be mentioned in the same
breath as these legends of the game,” said DeChambeau, who sounded excited at
the prospect of meeting and playing alongside some of the great players at the
Omega Dubai Desert Classic, fondly referred to as the Major of the Middle East.
“It will be
my first visit to Dubai, but I have heard many good things about the city from
fellow players and know the tournament attracts a very strong field each year.
“If you look
at the roll of honour, it’s so impressive with some of the greatest players in
the game such as Seve Ballesteors, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy
becoming proud owners of the giant Arabian Coffee Pot that holds special
significance to the players.
“It will
feel nice to have my name written on a famous trophy, but I don’t want to get
ahead of myself and will take things as they come. It would take something
special to beat the challenge, but I will try my best and see what happens,”
said DeChambeau, who made his US PGA Tour debut in June 2015 at the FedEx St. Jude
Classic, finishing in 45th place.
“All I know
is that, it will be fun playing in Dubai and I am looking forward to visiting
the city where so much golf action is happening. A big thank you to ’golf in
DUBAi’ for the invitation,” said DeChambeau, who will join defending champion
Rory McIlroy among other elite golfers in the field.
A physics
major at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Texas, the strapping young
prodigy, with the mind of a scientist, has invented his own golf swing
“Bryson is
an incredible talent, one who is not afraid to experiment with new things. His
off-the-wall thinking has already yielded great results. We look forward to
welcoming him to Dubai and hope he will return home richer in experience,” said
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of ‘golf in DUBAi.’
“It has been
our tradition to give young people the opportunity to be the best and we see
Bryson as somebody who will not only fulfil his massive potential, but also
demonstrate the quality of character, richness of spirit and strength of
self-belief.
“Rory
(McIlroy) also first played in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic as an amateur in
2006, and today he is a world-class player because of his hard work and
dedication. I am sure his presence in the field will certainly be a big source
of inspiration for Bryson,” he added.
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