Dubai: It was a case of what might have been as 2017 champion Sergio Garcia looked on to see the next generation of golfers come to the fore, with Bryson DeChambeau strolling to the title on 24-under-par ahead of second-placed Matt Wallace, a mighty seven strokes back, at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.
The fact that Wallace left veterans such as Ian Poulter, Garcia and former champion Alvaro Quiros trailing spoke volumes of the American’s abilities.
DeChambeau’s gargantuan victory margin left Garcia, the Spaniard who won the 2017 US Masters at Augusta, in awe. But Garcia was magnanimous in his praise of the winner and his methodical way of hitting a ball over 18 holes.
Garcia finished tied-third, eight strokes behind outright star-of-the-show DeChambeau, but was staggered at the ‘Scientist’ and his — let’s say mathematical — approach to the game.
The American dispenses with hit-and-hope tactics and visualises every single shot and scenario before he even thinks about striking the ball.
“I had a nice week but what he does is special,” said Garcia.
“We were talking about it inside the recorder’s tent with Lee (Westwood); if you’re playing well and making everything, you can’t screw that one up. It’s a perfect combination.
“He’s playing really well, and it just feels like every putt he looks at, it’s going in, or if it’s not, it’s burning the edge.
“So obviously he’s in a great mood at the moment. He’s playing very, very nicely with a lot of confidence, and putting well. So you can’t go wrong there.
Garcia was on the winning Europe Ryder Cup team that defeated the United States at Le Golf National in September — a team that had DeChambeau in their defeated ranks.
Earlier this week, DeChambeau — one of four Americans but the only Ryder Cupper in the Dubai field — talked about how he held no grudges about that time in Paris and he hugs each player like a friend regardless. He spoke about how Garcia — the record Ryder Cup point-scorer — is one of his heroes. How the tables quickly turn …
The veteran Spaniard is now in awe of how his erstwhile rival approaches the game. “He’s playing great.,” said Garcia “He’s playing very nicely. He’s obviously feeling his swing very, very nicely. He’s got a lot of confidence going, that helps, and he’s putting unbelievable. So when you’re doing those things, when you’re putting those things together, it’s usually a winning combination.”
Winning indeed, as DeChambeau has to use his logical brain to see where a giant Dubai Desert Classic Coffee Pot trophy will fit in his luggage as he departs the UAE.
