“PRO” FILE – U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONS BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU AND YUKA SASO

Since he first came onto the professional scene in 2016, Bryson DeChambeau has always marched to his own drummer. With a swing built on the single-plane concepts of Moe Norman and using single-length irons, DeChambeau hasn’t always been well understood by the golfing public or pundits. A quest for greater distance in 2020 further heightened the curiosity factor as he built his body to be like a football lineman.

But a funny thing happened along the way. Thanks to his YouTube channel, DeChambeau has amassed an extremely loyal following, and during his win at the recent U.S. Open, his infectious personality won over even the most stubborn detractor. Currently a member of the LIV Golf Tour, DeChambeau has cemented himself as one of the game’s must-see performers.

The same can be said of current U.S. Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso. She has only two victories at the highest level of women’s golf, and both are U.S. Opens. She also won the title in 2021. While she hasn’t won any other tournaments on the LPGA Tour, she has been a steady performer, sprinkling in 18 top-10 finishes in 67 starts. Another golfer who comes to mind who won two U.S. Opens but not much else — only one other victory — is Andy North on the men’s side. With Saso’s record of consistency, it would seem only a matter of time before she starts winning more often.