Jordan Spieth snubs PGA Tour allies with verdict on LIV Golf's Bryson DeChambeau
Jordan Spieth, the only man in PGA Tour history to witness two playing partners shoot a 59, maintains that neither of these were the best rounds he's seen.
Spieth was alongside Cameron Young when he shot an impressive 11-under-par 59 at TPC River Highlands during the third round of the Travelers Championship on Saturday. This came seven years after he played with close friend Justin Thomas at the Sony Open in Hawaii, where Thomas sank a long eagle putt at the last hole to break 60 in spectacular fashion.
However, Spieth argues that the 60 scored by newly-crowned US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau at the 2021 BMW Championship outshone both. He watched as DeChambeau make light work of the par-72 layout at Caves Valley, narrowly missing a sub-60 round after failing to sink a six-footer at the last.
When asked about the best round he's witnessed in his career, Spieth responded: "I would say Bryson that day because it was a par 72. That might be the answer on those three rounds.
“I remember thinking both Cam and Justin were right in it at the beginning. There’s definitely an argument for JT because he knew he needed eagle (on the final hole) and made a 15-foot slider. That’s a little bit different. That was the most clutch of the three."
The stats seem to back up Spieth's audacious assertion. DeChambeau's phenomenal round at Caves Valley saw him gain 9.913 on the field, while Thomas' 59 resulted in 9.249 strokes gained. Young's performance ranked third, with 7.845 strokes gained amid prime scoring conditions throughout the tournament at TPC River Highlands.
DeChambeau's dazzling 60 at Caves Valley was so statistically impressive that it outshone even his remarkable 58 at LIV Golf Greenbrier last year. Despite romping to a six-stroke victory after his sensational round, the data suggests his performance at the BMW Championship was even more impressive.
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Bryson DeChambeau is the current US Open champion
The Greenbrier presented a particularly easy challenge that week only three PGA Tour venues have seen lower average scores in the past two decades meaning DeChambeau gained 8.74 strokes on the field when he scored his 58.
Young, currently ranked 23rd in the world, has had a frustrating season. The 27-year-old is arguably the best player on the PGA Tour yet to claim a victory. However, his performance at the Travelers served as a reminder of his exceptional talent.
"I can’t say I was expecting it," Young said. "I’ve been playing better than the results have shown. Waking up this morning, I wasn’t really thinking I was going to be five-under through four. It was a lot of fun to do. To have a day like today where things start going in, and it feels like you’re rewarded for good shots, it leaves me with a good taste in my mouth."