DeChambeau's 65 sees him top the leaderboard and clinch team title at AD Invitational

Joy Chakravarty 11:46 01/02/2016
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  • Bryson DeChambeau.

    Playing without his trademark ‘flat cap’, the 22-year-old celebrated amateur shot a stunning round of seven-under par 65 at Yas Links, despite starting with a bogey and then making another on the fourth hole to be one-over at that stage.

    DeChambeau, who served notice with a 64 on the opening day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship a week ago, then made four birdies in a row from the fifth hole onwards, and added four more on the back nine to finish on 65, two shots better than the quartet of Frenchman Alexander Levy, Thai Thongchai Jaidee, England’s Matthew Baldwin and Chile’s Felipe Aguilar.

    The performance of the US Amateur champion helped his professional partner Ahmed Al Musharrekh clinch the Pro-Am team title with a score of 11-under par, two better than Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera and his partner Nigel Cann. Australia’s Wade Ormsby and Allan Stanton also finished on nine-under par and were adjudged third after a countback.

    Because of his amateur status – he is turning professional in April after playing the Masters – DeChambeau was unable to win the $25,000 first prize, but that could not wipe the smile off his face after a fantastic day on the links.

    “We had great fun. I just enjoyed myself,” said DeChambeau. “I really enjoyed playing with Ahmed and we both fed off each other all day. For me, it was another one of those days when I just had everything going.

    “I loved it out there. Kyle Philips is a great designer and I loved playing Yas Links. I enjoy the challenge of playing links courses where I have to hit different kinds of shots than the ones I’d hit playing in the US.”

    Carin Koch, European Solheim Cup captain this year, was playing alongside DeChambeau in the same group, and was left impressed with the young American.

    “I don’t play much with the men professionals, so their power and length off the tee is something that always amazes me. But what I liked about Bryson was the control he had and how impeccable his conduct was on the golf course. I definitely think I watched a future superstar today,” Koch said.

    Several celebrities from other sports and business leaders paired up with the professionals for the pro-am tournament. Among the sporting celebrities were football greats Roberto di Matteo and Andriy Shevchenko, cricket legend Brian Lara and four-time Olympic rowing champion Matthew Pinsent.

    The tournament, which is owned by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, benefits the Emirates Red Crescent this year.

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