PGA Tour caddie suggests Bryson DeChambeau may have broken rules at US Open

Bryson DeChambeau heads into the final round of the US Open at Pinehurst with a three-shot lead over contenders Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, and Matthieu Pavon. However, his equipment has come under scrutiny, particularly from seasoned PGA Tour caddie Kip Henley, who has questioned the conformity of DeChambeau’s putter.

Henley, 64, who formerly caddied for the late Grayson Murray, has suggested that DeChambeau’s putter might not meet USGA regulations. According to Henley, the shaft of DeChambeau’s putter appears too vertical, not leaning away from the head by the required 10 degrees. Henley, watching the tournament on NBC from his home in the United States, pointed out this potential infraction on social media.

“If I’m a player around the lead in the US Open, I would ask the USGA to check the specs on this putter,” Henley posted on X (formerly Twitter), alongside a photo of his television showing DeChambeau’s putter. “The shaft has to lean away from the head at least 10 degrees. It sure looks vertical. Not being a d*** or hate him at all, but it is a rule.”

Henley’s comments have stirred the pot, coming just after he noted the empty seats visible during DeChambeau’s round. “Desham is having a cool Open, but look how many open seats!” he remarked. “Wonder how many open seats you could find if The Big Tig had this lead you could find.”

Henley’s tweet about DeChambeau’s putter quickly gained traction on social media, with even PGA Tour player Andrew Putnam chiming in. “Probably should request a driver equipment check too; he’s hitting it too far and straight,” Putnam quipped in response. “Also, drug test his caddie (Greg Bodine). He’s way too calm and having too much fun for it being a US Open.”

Henley responded to Putnam’s humorous jab by stating, “lol. I don’t hate the boy, at all, and I completely love his looper Bodine! He’s a way better carrier than me. I was just giving us something to talk about. I’m fine with Desham winning!!”

By Sunday morning, Henley addressed the backlash his comments had sparked, emphasizing that his tweet was meant to be taken lightly. “Jesus Mary and Joseph, you people have lost your minds!” he posted. “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.”

He added in a follow-up post, “(Andrew Putnam) got it quickly and threw his funny jab. Would any true golfer think Bryson’s putter hasn’t been inspected 100 times? They measure the thickness and rebounding qualities of drivers, for God’s sake.”

As the final round looms, DeChambeau’s focus remains on maintaining his lead and securing the US Open title, undeterred by the swirling controversy.