Bryson DeChambeau, “intrigued” by Valderrama’s route

The American Bryson DeChambeau, who won the United States Open just a month ago, and two months ago was runner-up at the PGA, said this Wednesday, two days before the LIV Andalucía, that the Valderrama course in Cadiz is always “intrigued” him, because It is a “strategic” field.

“Even though most people think it’s not right for me, I think it’s a great golf course. You have to dial in your irons and you have to putt well. Last year was a lot of fun,” explained DeChambeau, who finished second a year ago, at a press conference in which his compatriot Phil Mickelson also participated.

For DeChambeau, it “doesn’t matter” what a golf course is, because “you have to hit fairways, greens and putts; this is the essence of the sport, although some courses are better than others” and so He emphasized the hardness of the land of Cádiz, which must be “understood.”

“I can play a long iron, hit the fairway, hit good irons and good wedges, and if I putt well, I’ll have a good chance this week, but I’m sure there are other good golfers who will give themselves an opportunity,” DeChambeau said. in a field where Spaniard Sergio García has won on several occasions.

DeChambeau noted that “it’s about who can endure the rigors of this golf course and persevere through adversity,” because “there are going to be shots where you’re going to hit the trees and end up in the strange place.”

Similarly, he also said that he now has “a few days to savor” the victory at the US Open, to see “what it feels like” to win a major and also to “share that happiness with friends,” though he has almost no time to rest.

For his part, Mickelson, from HyFlyers GC, emphasized that on Friday there will be a lot of wind and that “the ability to control the ball in the wind” will be key, because the greens are “small” and it will be “a good test” of hopes next weekend at the British Open, something DeChambeau led.

Mickelson commented that it was a “world-class”, “unique” course and where a Ryder Cup was held and featured its own identity, with trees in the middle and in the wind.

Also, he explained that, after one hundred days of competition in 2024, he and his team are not where they want to be but they must focus “on progress” and know where they want to be: “Even if you don’t win , you need to know how to improve and what to do “We are building and we are on the path to be better. It’s important to recognize the progress we’ve made.”