Bryson DeChambeau had already walked off the 18th green, shaken hands with playing partner Nathan Kimsey and thanked every marshal beside the putting surface when he turned and strolled back on to the dancefloor.
He took off his cap and waved in turn to each side of the grandstand cheering and roaring his name. It was like watching a rock star return to the stage for one last song.
Even Scottie Scheffler struggled to receive the same ovation when he was crowned Champion Golfer of the Year.
The scavenging kids that hang over the railings behind the 18th green begging players to throw them their balls were in more of a frenzy than usual and many chased DeChambeau off the course pleading with him to throw them his cap too.
DeChambeau had just rolled in a seventh birdie of the day to finish on nine-under and move briefly into a tie for second. This was a player, remember, who shot seven-over on the opening day and looked certain to miss the cut.
In a way, though, none of that mattered. This wasn’t adulation, really, for an incredible comeback and three rounds of scintillating golf. This was adoration of a celebrity. Harry Styles may as well have walked out in front of the gallery.
Bryson DeChambeau received the ovation of a superstar on the 18th green on Sunday
The American took off his cap and waved in turn to each side of the grandstand cheering
Because that’s what DeChambeau is these days. He’s not just a golfer anymore. He’s a YouTube star with more than two million followers and almost as many on TikTok. He played a round of golf on his channel with US president Donald Trump that racked up more than 15million views. He’s a showman. He’s an entertainer.
Some of his recent YouTube videos include him trying to break par with a £90 set of clubs bought off Temu, hosting his own tournament to win $250,000, and inviting strangers to hit a hole in one over his house for $100,000. They all have millions of views.
It wasn’t always like this, of course. He used to be the pantomime villain, mocked for his slow play, feuding with Brooks Koepka, a chief defector to LIV, the Mad Scientist experimenting with his 3D-printed clubs, same-length irons and piling on nearly three stones of extra muscle to hit the ball even further into orbit. He didn’t get these kinds of receptions back then but, boy, he does now.
‘It’s an honour, really,’ said DeChambeau to the huddle of reporters hanging off his every word, including Mail Sport, after his final round at Royal Portrush.
‘When I came on the scene, people had a perception of me. I knew who I was but it was difficult to express that. I was lucky to find YouTube and have that be the showcase for me, maturing a little bit and understanding how to learn and realising what this great game is all about.
‘The only reason we’re getting paid the numbers we’re getting is because of those individuals out there in the stands. Once I started realising that, I started changing my mindset of what I needed to do to keep them coming back so they see trying to showcase this great game.
‘There’s value outside of tournament golf. I hope I can add to the game from outside – YouTube, content, entertainment. That’s the stuff that excites me now. Not more than tournament golf, but almost as much as tournament golf.
DeChambeau rolled in a seven birdies on the day to finish the tournament on nine-under
‘I think having another identity with that saying, hey, look, I’m not just a professional, but I’m an entertainer as well. That has shown people the true side of myself.’
Like his presidential pal, he knows how to whip up a crowd. He knows what grabs headlines and what words will be clipped and cut for viral social media content. His performance at Portrush has all-but secured his place at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in September and when asked what he could bring, he declared: ‘I hope I can bring a lot of energy…and a tsunami of a crowd that’s rooting for Team USA!’
And will his mate Trump be there to cheer them on?
‘I think he’s got bigger problems on his hands right now,’ he replied with a laugh.
