Bryson DeChambeau and Golf's Other Great Mavericks
The standard definition of a 'maverick' is an 'unorthodox or independent-minded person' and the newly crowned U.S. Open champ's unconventional approach to the game since bursting onto the scene back in 2016 leads to this term fitting like a glove.
As the dust settles on Bryson DeChambeau's impressive and, let's face it, downright peerless performance at Winged Foot, we've been thinking about golf's other maverick exponents through the years. Check them out below and let us know who we've missed in the comments.
Bryson DeChambeau
A combination of single-length clubs, fat grips, vector putting, and an overarching embrace for all things science has quickly led to Bryson DeChambeau becoming the most interesting and innovative golfer on Tour.
He makes no apologies for his new approach and, whether you love him or can't stand him, the ability to bomb the ball further than anyone - with a surprising level of accuracy - means he will be contending for many more prestigious tournaments in the future.
We're all for innovation here at Hole19, and Bryson certainly brings that in spades with his willingness to stand out from the crowd from a very young age. Below he explains that he believes he 'dominated' Winged Foot at the 2020 U.S. Open.
Miguel Angel Jimenez
If you love golf, chances are you love Miguel Angel Jiminez's unique personality and joyful demeanour. His penchant for fine cigars, red wine and fast cars makes him instantly relatable, while his eye-wateringly flexible warm-up routine is quite the spectacle.
Having played in four European Ryder Cup teams, and with 21 separate wins on the European Tour, not to mention the 9 PGA Champions Tour titles to date, 'The Mechanic' is undoubtedly one of the greats. He's also, quite clearly, one of the most fascinating golfers to have ever graced the game.
Below, the eccentric Spaniard talks about his views on life both on and off the golf course.
John Daly
Without question, one of the most popular golfers of all-time has to be the two-time major champion John Daly. The reasons are endless, however, when a golfer says "I played my best golf drunk", it's clear that they're bringing something a little different to a pretty straight-laced sport.
Along with his unquestionable golfing talent, Daly is known for his flamboyance and general love of living life to excess. Though he's cut back after a recent health scare, he would often chain-smoke three packets of cigarettes a day, drink around 515 gallons of Diet Coke per year, gamble (and lose) crazy sums of money... the list could go on.
That same all-or-nothing attitude follows him to the tee-box where he is well-known for unleashing almighty drives - leading the PGA Tour 11 times for driving distance.
Bubba Watson
Gerry Lester Watson - or Bubba as we all know him - has never had a golf lesson and yet he's managed to win two Green Jackets and reach world number one status in an eventful career thus far.
Throw in a pink-shafted driver, crazy shot-shaping ability, and the odd winner's circle blub-fest and you've got every inch the maverick golfer. He is also heavily responsible for subjecting an unsuspecting public to the Golf Boys' questionable musical offerings (though all in the name of charitable causes).
Chi-Chi Rodriguez
A mixture of great golf and showmanship led to Chi Chi being much loved by fans all around the globe.
He would throw his hat on top of the hole after a birdie to stop the ball from escaping. After he heard that other golfers were complaining about this little ritual, Chi Chi (real name Juan Antonio Rodriguez) developed his signature "toreador dance," where he would make believe that the ball was a "bull" and that his putter was a "sword," and he would terminate the "bull."
Never one to take the conventional route, check out his opening 'pitch' at a New York Mets ball game.
Ho-Sung Choi
This one's all about the swing. There have been many unorthodox swings we've seen through the years but Ho-Sung Choi's really is in a league of its own. While he addresses the ball relatively conventionally, it's beyond impact and into the follow through that something altogether peculiar takes place.
A mini-pirouette is followed by a leap to the left with less balance, grace and style than you'd expect to see in a beginner high-handicapper. The main difference? He can play pretty impressive golf and has won three times on the Japanese Tour.
Proof, if it were needed, that there's more than one way to skin the proverbial cat.
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