US Open chiefs have been told to investigate Bryson DeChambeau’s putter amid suggestions it is breaking the rules. DeChambeau led the field by three shots on Saturday evening after firing a third round score of 67.
DeChambeau has been in stellar form at the Pinehurst No. 2 course in North Carolina and was among the leaders from the outset after hitting -3 in the opening round. He backed that up with a -1 in Round 2, before a second -3 in Round 3.
And ahead of the final day of play, the 30-year-old leads Patrick Cantlay, Rory McIlroy and Matthieu Pavon by three strokes.
But caddie Kip Henley has questioned whether DeChambeau should be able to continue with his current putter.
“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 wrote on X.
“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, who is a veteran of his industry and caddied for the late Grayson Murray last year, was then drawn into a series of debates with his followers over his comments.
And the 63-year-old added: “It’s not forward or backwards lean, it’s the vertical lean. He may have the heal a touch in the air which would make it appear a touch more upright.”
After being told the star’s equipment would have been blessed by tournament organisers, Henley then stated: “If I don’t tweet it then what else can we talk about? It’s all in fun. I hope the dude and his Caddie grab the trophy tomorrow. It’s just all in fun.”
DeChambeau won the US Open in 2020 after hitting a six-under-par 274 at the West Course at Winged Foot in New York. On that occasion, he finished a staggering six shots ahead of second-place Matthew Wolff after fighting back from two shots behind after 54 holes had already been played.
And following his Round 3 efforts this time around, the American thanked fans for their support throughout the tournament. “It was amazing – I can’t thank them enough,” DeCheambeau exclaimed.
“It was a blessing. Man, they riled me up. It just gives me a spike in my adrenaline and allows me to focus more on delivering for the fans, for myself and for my family. It just inspires me.”
