Rory McIlroy's former agent compares Bryson DeChambeau to golfing legend, calls him 'blue collar hero'

Rory McIlroy's former agent, Andrew Chandler, has likened Bryson DeChambeau to golf legend Arnold Palmer, calling DeChambeau a "blue-collar hero" akin to Palmer. Palmer's social influence transformed golf's image from a pastime for the wealthy elite to a sport embraced by the working class.

In a recent interview with Flushing it Golf, Chandler said:

"I was brought up on Arnold Palmer and I think Bryson DeChambeau is a blue collar hero, like Arnold Palmer was. And maybe one day he’ll be called ‘Mr DeChambeau’. I don’t know."

DeChambeau has 13 wins with nine of them on the PGA Tour. Chandler further said:

"But, I think they’re very similar how they play the game. I think their outlook's good. I think they’re unbelievably good for the game. Bryson, in the last 12 months, has had a complete makeover hasn’t he, what he’s like now."

DeChambeau recently won his second Major of his career, also his second US Open. After winning the golf Major, he took the trophy to the crowd as several fans touched it. Talking about it, the 71-year-old Chandler said:

"I think I was involved in maybe 80-100 wins. Never thought of taking the trophy in the crowd. As soon as he did it, I thought, I never thought of doing that and that was such a cool thing. And people related to it, didn't they. I think he's great for the sport and I think he’s great to watch."

Arnold Palmer went on to win 95 tournaments in his career with 55 of them on the PGA Tour. He also won 7 Majors including four Masters tournaments, two Open Championships, and a US Open.

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A look at Bryson DeChambeau's performance in 2024

Bryson DeChambeau has had a splendid 2024 season. He became the only LIV Golfer to win a Major this year. He won the US Open at Pinehurst No.2 by one shot over Rory Mcllroy.

On LIV Golf, he has had six top-10 finishes in 10 starts this year. His best finishes include a T3 at LIV Golf Nashville and a solo fourth at LIV Golf Jeddah. His other notable finishes include a T6 at LIV Golf Hong Kong and a T7 finish at LIV Golf Miami.

DeChambeau is currently positioned ninth in the LIV Golf individual standings. He finished fourth last year. Let's take a look at Bryson DeChambeau's performances in 2024 in LIV Tournaments and PGA Tour tournaments:

2024 LIV Tournaments

• LIV Golf Mayakoba: T25, 70-74-68, 212 (-1)
• LIV Golf Las Vegas: T9, 67-62-74, 203 (-7)
• LIV Golf Jeddah: 4, 63-73-62, 198 (-12)
• LIV Golf Hong Kong: T6, 65-68-66, 199 (-11)
• LIV Golf Miami: T7, 71-70-68, 209 (-7)
• LIV Golf Adelaide: T26, 68-68-70, 206 (-10)
• LIV Golf Singapore: T27, 73-66-69, 208 (-5)
• LIV Golf Houston: T18, 69-70-72, 211 (-5)
• LIV Golf Nashville: T3, 67-66-68, 201 (-12)
• LIV Golf Andalucía: 9, 74-67-71, 212 (-1)

2024 PGA TOUR Tournaments

• Masters Tournament: T6, 65-73-75-73, 286 (-2)
• PGA Championship: 2, 68-65-67-64, 264 (-20)
• U.S. Open: 1, 67-69-67-71, 274 (-6)
• The Open: Missed Cut, 76-75, 151 (+9)