Last Updated on June 17, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Bryson DeChambeau is our 2024 US Open champion. He played incredibly well all week, but that sand save on the last hole is what major championship victories are all about. However, as great as Bryson’s story is this week, it’s certainly not the only one out here. If you watched the US Open, here are the 5 lessons you should have walked away with after watching. As a golf professional and someone who is constantly in awe of this game and what it adds to our lives, these are the things that struck me the most this week.
You Are Never Really Out of It
Francesco Molinari didn’t have the best start to the tournament. He found himself about to wrap up round two, head to the locker room, pack up his things, and get on the road.
Making the cut seemed out of reach.
That is, of course, until he made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole. The 17th is a difficult par 3 that plays around 220 yards. He struck a perfect shot and watched in awe as it dropped.
Molinari’s playing partners almost seemed more excited than he was; he couldn’t even wrap his mind around what had just happened.
So the next time you head out to the course and double bogey the first hole, don’t start thinking this is the end of your day out there. It is not!
People Can Change
Bryson DeChambeau is a new man. When he and Brooks were fighting like 7 and 9-year-old brothers a few years back, Bryson lost quite a few fans. Rightfully so. However, it’s almost as if Bryson knows this now. He’s started to prioritize being the good guy.
He has become a relatable and engaging golfer. You start to watch his quirky hand position, setup, and mannerisms and actually find them interesting and good for the game.
In fact, I can almost guarantee there are some of you wishing Bryson could come back to the PGA Tour and give Scotty a run for his money the rest of the season.
Bryson didn’t just win the championship; he also won millions of new fans. This shows that people can change, even those you thought were quite stuck in their ways.
Golf Is and Always Will Be A Mental Game
Scottie Scheffler had some recent legal issues; we all know that story. Those issues are cleared up.
The point here is that the mental challenges caused by those issues are far from cleared up. Scottie Scheffler is one of the greatest players the game has seen, but the difference between a great golfer and the best golfer is in the head.
There is only so much one person can take and can move on from. Scottie has won an event since the incident, but major championships are different.
Let’s see if he is ready for the Open Championship in a few weeks; something tells me he will be.
Slumps Are Part of the Journey
Rory McIlroy has not won a major championship since 2014. Let’s face it: Most people will never win a major championship, so we can’t be too hard on him.
However, he has been one of the best golfers, if not the best golfer in the world, since 2014. That’s where it gets confusing.
Rory has so much talent, all the qualities you need to be a top contender in every major championship, but he has been unable to pull it off.
This one hurts particularly badly, as his two-foot putt on the last hole could have made all the difference and forced Bryson into a playoff.
The next time you start complaining about being unable to break 90 for two months in a row, think about Rory and understand slumps are just part of this game.
Legacy Lives On (Even After the US Open)
Finally, the most important takeaway from the 2024 US Open is the enduring legacy of Payne Stewart. Stewart passed away over two decades ago, shortly after his victory at Pinehurst, yet his legacy remains vibrant. Known for his impressive sportsmanship and unique style, Stewart played some of the best golf of his era.
If you take nothing else away from the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst, remember this: Payne Stewart’s legacy is much more than the putt he made on the 18th at Pinehurst. His legacy is defined by who he was as a person, not just his achievements on the course.
