Gary Player calls for a Bryson DeChambeau vs Scottie Scheffler challenge match ahead of the Open Championship
9-time Major winner Gary Player has called for Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler to participate in a challenge match ahead of the 2024 Open Championship. The two golfers will be amongst several other stars that will tee it up at the fourth and final Major of the year.
Bryson DeChambeau most recently won the US Open after an intense final day of play against Rory McIlroy. Scottie Scheffler, on the other hand, won the Masters this year, alongside five other tournaments on the PGA Tour. Both golfers are in top form this year and are favorites to win.
In a recent video with Golf Monthly, Gary Player spoke about DeChambeau's win at the 2024 US Open over Rory McIlroy. Talking about his perfected iron play, Player said that a challenge match between DeChambeau and Scheffler would be exciting.
"He is an enlightening character. What people don't understand is that no golfer has ever perfected the long bunker shot. So what he did, it was quite ironic that Rory would miss a putt like this and he would have an impossible shot. Yet he got down in 2 to win. So I'm a big, big DeChambeau fan. I think a great challenge now, DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler. They should have a challenge match now." [0.43]
Scheffler enters the Open Championship with odds of +450 while DeChambeau enters with odds of +1400 (via CBS Sports).
Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy amongst other top golfers in the star-studded field at the 2024 Open Championship
While Scheffler and DeChambeau will be in the field, the likes of Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy will also be around to challenge them for the win. Schauffele, who won the PGA Championship earlier this year, is currently World No. 3 and is looking for one more Major championship win this year.
Rory McIlroy is in search of his first Major win in over a decade. He was especially close at the US Open, but was ultimately beaten by Bryson DeChambeau in a heartbreaking loss. McIlroy's sights are now set on the Open Championship. Speaking via Asap Sports, he said:
"I played it eight years ago and remember it pretty well. I think just getting a good strategy on what I'm going to do off the tees, and then it's in and around the greens. It's the shots that you need around the greens. You know, the bunkers at Troon are very penal. Trying to employ a strategy where you can navigate your way around them, and then as I said, my ball-striking is there."
The 2024 Open Championship will be played from July 18-21 at the Royal Troon Golf Club.