Bryson DeChambeau, from Clovis in California’s San Joaquin Valley, announced that he will turn pro and make his PGA Tour debut at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C., on April 14-17.
The 22-year-old DeChambeau, who left SMU last September when the Mustangs’ golf program was hit with sanctions that prevented him from defending his NCAA Championship, also won the U.S. Amateur last year.
“It’s not only an exciting opportunity, but it’s an honor to play here,” DeChambeau said during a media conference at Harbour Town. “I’ve always wanted to play here, and I think it fits perfectly in the timeline of events for me to get (a PGA Tour) card this year.
” … It’s all a journey and it’s only begun.”
DeChambeau is playing in the Masters in two weeks because of his victory in the U.S. Amateur, but he had to remain an amateur to keep his spot at Augusta National.
Once he turns pro, he can receive the maximum seven sponsor exemptions in an effort to earn his PGA Tour card. The second will come a week later at the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
DeChambeau also received invitations to the Memorial and the Quicken Loans National for winning the U.S. Amateur, increasing his chances to nine.
“From what I’m hearing and seeing and reading from other professionals and others, he’s the real deal,” said tournament director Steve Wilmot of the RBC Heritage.
“We’re certainly looking forward to him playing here.”
DeChambeau has played in seven pro events since leaving SMU, finishing second in the Australian Masters, leading the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a first-round 64 before fading to a tie for 54th, and closing with a 66 last week to tie for 27th in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
By winning the NCAA and U.S. Amateur Championship, he joined Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ryan Moore and the only players to claim both in the same year.
