Bryson DeChambeau ’16

Bryson DeChambeau ’16 brings a physicist’s knowledge and an inventor’s imagination to professional golf. His first major title came at the 2020 U.S. Open, which he dominated by an impressive six strokes. Among his eight PGA Tour wins is the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Nicknamed “The Scientist” for his SMU physics major and analytical approach to the sport, DeChambeau has been celebrated in the media and by fans as a true game-changer.

Hailing from Clovis, California, DeChambeau earned a golf scholarship to SMU. In 2015, when he was a junior, he became only the fifth player to win both the NCAA and U.S. Amateur titles in the same year. DeChambeau played in the 2016 Masters as an amateur, tied for 16th place and finished as the top amateur.

After the Masters, DeChambeau turned pro. A week later, he finished fourth at the RBC Heritage. His first professional win was the DAP Championship, which also earned him a PGA Tour Card for the 2017 season. His first PGA Tour victory came that season in the John Deere Classic. He has since added eight PGA Tour titles. In 2019, he picked up his first European Tour win by seven shots at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

DeChambeau often talks about the impact of his SMU physics training on the development of his distinctive style. The mechanics of his unconventional swing have been dissected in countless articles and videos. Unlike most players on the tour, DeChambeau uses irons and wedges of equal length – 37.5 inches, the average length of his favorite 7-iron.

Despite a grueling tour schedule, he hosts a variety of events annually that raise funds to improve lives and communities. Key to his philanthropic efforts is the Bryson DeChambeau Foundation, which supports Shriners Hospitals for Children, the National Kidney Foundation and the Northern California Golf Association. The foundation also focuses on health, education and junior golf initiatives.