What happens when one of the most polarizing figures in the world of golf partners with one of the most polarizing figures in the world, period?
Science tells us certain poles can be attracted to each other and connect, which seems to be the case with U.S. Open champ Bryson DeChambeau and former President Donald Trump, who put together a solid round of golf but fell one shot short of DeChambeau’s ultimate goal in his latest episode of “Break 50” — a recurring feature on his YouTube Channel.
“This is going to be one of the greatest rounds of golf ever played,” Trump said in a blast of pre-round trumpeting.
Surprised? Didn’t think so.
Not sure if the game’s historians will ever list it alongside Nicklaus-Watson at Turnberry, or even Xander Schauffle’s Sunday 65 this past weekend at Troon, but frankly, quirkiness aside, DeChambeau and Trump, at Trump’s New Jersey course in Bedminster, was watchable in its own way, and dare we say dramatic?
The quirky: In these particular episodes on DeChambeau’s YouTube efforts, the goal is to break 50, over 18 holes, with the host and another golfer partnering in a two-man scramble … from the course’s most forward tees.
Even with DeChambeau able to drive all the par-4s from the red tees, and leave flip-wedges for second shots to the par-5s, 23 under par for 18 holes is asking a lot. In the end, it was asking too much, but barely — 12 birdies, five eagles and a par resulted in a 50, one shy of the show’s ultimate goal.
On a side note, DeChambeau said beforehand the show would be donating $10,000 per birdie and $20,000 per eagle to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Five takeaways from Donald Trump and Bryson DeChambeau’s two-man scramble …
1. When did Donald Trump and Bryson DeChambeau play this round?
Trump’s ear isn’t bandaged so the round of golf was obviously played before the July 13 assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.
So it was also obviously played before this past weekend’s announcement that President Joe Biden is dropping out of the presidential rematch — “Do you think Biden could do that?” Trump asks after one good shot.
And, also obvious, it was played before DeChambeau went belly-up at last week’s British Open and was still riding the high of his U.S. Open victory last month at Pinehurst.
2. Guess which golf courses are Trump’s favorites
Not so shockingly, Trump is a big fan of Trump golf courses. When DeChambeau asks for his favorite courses, he quickly talks of his courses in the UK — one in Ireland and two in Scotland, including the famed Turnberry.
Trump uses the episode to talk glowingly about what they see before them at Bedminster, where the rolling terrain and greenery belies its proximity (40 miles) to Manhattan.
3. The Donald Trump golf swing works better than it looks
Trump claims a 2 handicap, or at least claims to have been a 2 at some point, and has also won a bunch of club championships at his courses. Given his propensity for promotion, some raise an eyebrow at all of that.
But there’s no denying his acumen with two particular clubs — the driver and putter.
On all but one or two driving holes with DeChambeau, the shot tracer showed Trump hitting center-cut tee shots with a bit of left-to-right fade. Not sure if there’s a copy/paste function on the shot tracer, but there seemed to be.
It’s a bit surprising at first, given how Trump’s full swing begins with a flat takeaway that looks borderline painful. But he reloads before the downswing and passes through the ball on a decent plane with good speed and numbing consistency — looks like something you see from those in the late 1800s playing in overcoats. Substance over style, which indicates quality hand-eye coordination.
He generally employs a little Gary Player-style “walk-through” on his follow-through, which an amateur swing analyst might attribute to potential issues with the left knee — or some other left-side part that makes it difficult to maintain balance on the follow-through.
Whatever, it works.
And the putter is surprisingly good for a 78-year-old man putting conventionally — compared to DeChambeau, who uses an extended putter he rocks through the hitting zone like a pendulum. Brandel Chamblee would tell you Trump has too much ‘hit’ in his putting stroke, but his speed and accuracy are consistent, or at least they were on this day.
In between, on the few occasions Trump takes a full swing with a short iron, there were a couple of fat shots. Yeah, yeah, blamed on “wet” conditions on a course which must have seen some recent rain. Most of us just blame our wedge.
4. It’s Trump, so there’s something for everyone
Fans and detractors alike will find plenty here to chew on with both Trump and the show host.
DeChambeau, who’s been trying hard (too hard?) to change the perception of him as geeky golf scientist, is either generally excited at the challenge of shooting a two-man 49 or needs to dial back the gung-ho meter.
And Trump, like any president or former president, has enough people blowing smoke. He doesn’t need DeChambeau begging a fat iron shot to “get up” when it’s obviously been mis-hit and will fall well short of the target.
Trump, in control of the cart (of course) drives over tee boxes and right up to the closely mowed fringes of greens. Yes, he owns the place, but still …
5. Who is Donald Trump’s favorite LIV golfer?
At the beginning of the day, while watching DeChambeau launch drives on the range, Trump and other onlookers marvel at his unmatched length.
“The longest hitter by far. By far,” Trump tells the camera. “And I know ’em all.”
Surprised? Nah.
In another surprising move for a 78-year-old man, Trump takes control of the tablet in the duo’s cart and hits go on his musical play list.
And near the end, approaching the final tee, Trump asks DeChambeau’s opinion of his fellow tour players, not specifying if he means PGA Tour golfers or DeChambeau’s current mates on the Trump-endorsed LIV Tour. DeChambeau sings their general praises before Trump jumps in with a particular opinion.
“You know whose game I like?” he asks before answering in his next breath. “Patrick Reed.”
Whether a Trump supporter or detractor, you had to see that coming, right?
Reach Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
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