'Well deserved': Paige Spiranac changes tune on Bryson DeChambeau
US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau continues to be the talk of the golfing world, a day after his brutal approach to the notorious Winged Foot course netted him a maiden major title.
DeChambeau's devastating long driving game helped tame one of golf's hardest courses in a superb six-stroke victory for the 27-year-old.
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The American is undoubtedly one of the most polarising figures in the sport, with his bulked up, power-focused approach to the sport described as "revolutionary" by a lot of observers.
However, many of the game's purists insist that it is bad for the sport and DeChambeu's reputation for slow play and fiery outbursts has rubbed many up the wrong way.
Instagram golfing sensation Paige Spiranac had previously hit out at her countryman after an argument about an out-of-bounds ruling with a course official, earlier in the year.
“The way he acted to that rules official was so uncalled for and I think it just shows where his headspace is at right now," Spiranac said at the time.
"He thinks that he is literally pioneering the way that golf is being played, and so he is so far and beyond everyone else that he can tell a rules official, who their job is to know the rules inside and out, and for Bryson to say, ‘I don’t believe you, I need a second ruling.’ Who do you think you are?”
Following, his US Open triumph in New York on Sunday, however, Spiranac couldn't help but tip her hat to DeChambeau.
“It’s fun to give Bryson s*** at times but you have to give him so much credit for sticking to his guns despite all the hate and now he gets to call himself a US Open Champion,” Spiranac wrote on Twitter.
“Well deserved win.”
American’s approach divides golfing world
Rory McIlroy, who finished in a share of eighth place, had a fair bit more to say about DeChambeau at the conclusion of the major tournament.
The Northern Irishman was baffled by the manner of big-hitting DeChambeau's triumph, considering he only hit 23 of 56 fairways off the tee.
“I don't really know what to say because that's just the complete opposite of what you think a US Open champion does,” said McIlroy.
“Look, he's found a way to do it. Whether that's good or bad for the game, I don't know, but it's just - it's not the way I saw this golf course being played or this tournament being played.
“It's kind of hard to really wrap my head around it.
“I think it's brilliant, but I think he's taken advantage of where the game is at the minute.
“Look, again, whether that's good or bad, but it's just the way it is. With the way he approaches it, with the arm-lock putting, with everything, it's just where the game's at right now.
“I'm not saying that's right or wrong. He's just taking advantage of what we have right now.”
One person above others who was full of praise for DeChambeau was his model girlfriend Sophia Phalen Bertalomi, who led tributes to the 27-year-old after his maiden major title.
Writing on Instagram she said: “Biggest congratulations to this guy!!! Beyond proud of you B!”
DeChambeau and Bertalomi have reportedly been sating since 2018.
She graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Kinesiology and Nutrition in 2014.
After becoming a nursing student and studying pharmacology, the 27-year-old has since released her own swimwear line.
