Despite all sorts of restrictions on media access to players during last week’s U.S. Open, Golf.com’s Dylan Dethier managed to access all of Bryson DeChambeau’s post-win obligations and the ensuing Trump Westchester celebration.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, isn’t there a bubble restricting on-site media and indoor access to players out of respect for this whole pandemic thing? Picky, picky!
Some media just have all the access. Or a strategic business partnership with the USGA, announced here by another USGA partner, Morning Read, which is owned by their crisis management friends at the Buffalo Groupe. Did I digress?
Anyway, I’m sure safety came first at all times and masks, social distancing and…yeah right.
Dethier writes about the first of two steaks for the 2020 U.S. Open Champion:
A USGA staffer asked if he wanted food and his agent ordered a steak on his behalf: filet, medium, salt and pepper.
But first, more interviews. A hit on SiriusXM. A message for Rolex. A stop-off with Barstool. The car wash!
The herd headed inside Winged Foot’s clubhouse, which is one moat away from a castle and particularly dramatic at night. One large room had been set aside as a dramatic studio; that’s where DeChambeau did a series of sitdowns: Golf Channel. The Today Show. CNN. He told some stories I’d heard before, but they had renewed meaning in this context, particularly one: When his father was battling through dialysis, they turned to Finding Nemo for inspiration. “Just keep swimming” became a family mantra.
Bryson’s clubhouse dinner was captured by Golf.com video and I must say, it’s great to see the USGA welcomed media into the clubhouse. No doubt how the state of New York chalked it up.
We caught up with @b_dechambeau after his U.S. Open victory in the Winged Foot clubhouse.
Feeling inspired by Bryson’s transformation? We asked what advice he has for others looking to revamp their games.
“You can only have success from previous failures.” pic.twitter.com/UIjX857qAI
Dethier also writes about the celebration moving to Trump National Westchester, 20 miles away.
The afterparty was at Trump National GC Westchester, in Briarcliff Manor, some 20 miles north of Winged Foot, DeChambeau has a close relationship with the Trump family and Trump Organization Executive Vice President Larry Glick; he’s one of several pros who sports the “Trump” logo on his golf bag and has played at several of their properties.
Eric Trump played the role of host and hype man, introducing DeChambeau like a conquering hero as he entered the grill room, trophy in hand. The two most famous men in the room made for quite the side-by-side: Eric, who’s 6’5 and lanky, next to Bryson, who’s 6’1 and not.
It goes on with another steak to keep his weight up. Either way, looks like a good time was had by all…
Congrats @brysondechambeau 🥂🏆 A well deserved victory! #USopen
DeChambeau later posted some photos of himself sleeping with the trophy—smiling so naturally—and in one final thank you to Netjets and Bentley.