Bryson DeChambeau’s US Open win questioned over putter legality by caddie

Last Sunday, Bryson DeChambeau secured his second US Open title after a dramatic final round at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. The LIV Golf standout triumphed over Rory McIlroy by a single stroke, following a fierce head-to-head battle that captivated the golfing world. However, DeChambeau’s victory did not come without its share of controversy, as his putter became the subject of scrutiny and debate.

DeChambeau entered the final round with a three-shot lead over McIlroy, but the competition intensified as McIlroy staged a remarkable comeback. Between holes 10 and 13, McIlroy made three birdies, pulling ahead of DeChambeau by two strokes with just five holes remaining. The tension heightened as McIlroy faltered in the closing holes, carding three bogeys on the last four, including two critical missed putts on the 16th and 18th. These mistakes gave DeChambeau the opening he needed to reclaim the lead, ultimately clinching the title with a clutch up-and-down on the final hole.

Despite the thrilling conclusion, the focus quickly shifted to DeChambeau’s equipment. Veteran PGA Tour caddie Kip Henley questioned the legality of DeChambeau’s putter in a post on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting it might not conform to USGA regulations. Henley’s tweet, accompanied by a photo of the putter, stated, “If I’m a player around the lead in the US Open, I would ask the USGA to check the specs on this putter. The shaft has to lean away from the head at least 10 degrees. It sure looks vertical. Not being a —- or hate him at all, but it is a rule.”

Henley’s comment triggered widespread backlash and prompted a deeper investigation into the Rules of Golf. The rulebook stipulates that adjustable clubs must not be capable of being positioned in a way that makes the shaft diverge from the vertical by less than 10 degrees, as outlined in Part 2, Section 1b of the Equipment Rules. Specifically, it is crucial that the design of a putter does not allow it to be adjusted into a non-conforming position, such as having the shaft nearly vertical.

Further clarification from the USGA emphasized that putters are typically designed with some degree of shaft angle and rarely lie completely flat from heel to toe. The decision on a putter’s legality should be based on its design rather than how a player uses it. DeChambeau’s putter, like all equipment used in major tournaments, would have undergone stringent checks to ensure compliance with these rules.

In the wake of the uproar, Henley later backtracked, explaining that his initial comment was intended as a light-hearted jest. “Jesus Mary and Joseph, you people have lost your minds!” he tweeted. “Don’t you think I would understand that Bryson’s equipment has been inspected 1,000 times, and his putter would certainly be conforming? It was a tongue-in-cheek tweet that I knew would rile some of you up. This is the easiest pot I ever stirred.”

As DeChambeau celebrates his hard-fought victory, the incident serves as a reminder of the meticulous scrutiny placed on equipment in professional golf and the intense spotlight under which top athletes perform. Despite the controversy, DeChambeau’s performance under pressure solidifies his reputation as one of the sport’s most formidable competitors.