Bryson Dechambeau dominated the competition and came out victorious to win his first major at the 120th U.S. Open golf tournament last weekend, held at the famous Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York.

The course was tough — U.S. Opens are always known to be brutal. The staples of U.S. Open courses are thick roughs, narrow fairways, fast and sloping greens and just absolute carnage all around the golf course. Winged Foot did not disappoint. The rough was a tall boy Arnold Palmer deep (about six inches), there were tons of three putts, even a six putt and the winner Dechambeau hit just 23 out of 56 fairways, which is 41%. For reference, I, a nine handicapper, hit about 39% of fairways when I play, so watch out Bryson.

The course got the most of nearly every player this weekend. Danny Lee six putted from four feet, Jon Rahm nearly snapped his club, and Rory Sabbatini hit one of the worst putts you’ll ever see.

The cut was set at +7. Tiger Woods shot +10, Phil Mickelson was +13, and Jordan Spieth was +14. After leading after the first round, Justin Thomas went 11 over and finished T-8th. Patrick Reed had the lead after Friday, then shot 11 over the next two days to finish T-13th. Matthew Wolff held the lead after day three, and then shot five over on the final Sunday. No one could hold a lead, which shows how hard this course was. But Bryson stayed consistent, and that won him this tournament. 

Dechambeau did not win this tournament the conventional way, but he is known for being unconventional. Coming out of quarantine, Beefy Bryson gained 20 pounds and looked completely different than he did a couple years ago. He weighs in at a whopping 230-235 pounds now, depending on whether or not he just had steak, according to him. His diet, which consists of eggs, bacon, protein shakes and steak and potatoes, has completely transformed his game. 

Dechambeau has started to hit the ball over 350 yards with his 4.5 degree driver (the average driver is around 10 degrees) by aggressively slapping away at the ball. This week he proved that it’s length, not accuracy, that can win golf tournaments.

Dechambeau didn’t just win — he dominated. Coming into Sunday, he was three under, and two shots off the lead that Matthew Wolff held. On Sunday, he fired a three under with two birdies and a huge eagle on the 9th. He was the only player to shoot under par on Sunday. I repeat, the only player in red numbers.

The scoring average on Sunday was 75, and Dechambeau fired a three under 67. That’s how brutal this course was, and Dechambeau tore it to shreds. He ended up winning by six strokes, and was the only player across all four rounds to be under par. 

Dechambeau’s win proved the haters wrong. He showed that his unique approach to the game — the science behind it, the workout room, the added length to his game and the mentality that he takes on — works. Although unconventional to the average golf fan, it worked at Winged Foot, a major championship. 

“I think I’m definitely changing the way people think about the game,” Dechambeau commented after the win. The 27-year-old’s win in many ways is going to change the way golf is played in the future.

Dechambeau showed that length off the tee is now a premium. Even when he found himself in the thick rough, he was closer to the pin, which gave him an advantage. Hitting fairways at the U.S. Open is no longer a must, it’s the length that put him in the winner’s circle.

Dechambeau showed off his unique talent and style this weekend that he has been preparing for for months now, so I applaud him, as all golf fans ought to because he is transforming the game.