The Bryson Dechambeau Challenge - Notes on the 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic Day 2

Rocket Mortgage Classic – Thoughts on Day 2

 The 3-1-3 Challenge is Nearly Impossible

In the spirit of the Rocket Mortgage 3-1-3 challenge I made a similar, albeit less lucrative, offer to my son – if he can jump twelve feet in the air, fart three times on the way up, whistle the Star Spangled Banner at the apex, and burp the alphabet on the way down, I will give him $10,000.  More realistically, I will pay him $500 if he can complete any single element of the challenge.

Then I will wash him down with the garden hose before I give him the money.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States

Okay, the 3-1-3 is a good thing in principal.  The money will go to a good cause, bridging Detroit’s digital divide.  But it’s dang near impossible.  To ring the 3-1-3 bell this feat must be completed on the 14^th, 15^th and 16^th holes at the Detroit Golf Club.

According to statistics released from the PGA Tour, in 318,000 tour rounds played since 2003 a consecutive eagle, ace, birdie combination has been completed only three times in competition.  It’s never been done at the Rocket.  Statistically, there’s about a .000001 chance that that a player will complete the challenge.  What comes to mind here is the probability that monkeys will fly out of one of my body orifices.

But the Rocket Mortgage tournament directors did sweeten the donation pool by promising $5,000, $25,000 and $5,000, respectively, for any player who completes a single stage of the challenge.  If you’d like to ensure that the good people of Detroit are brought up to par on internet access and computer literacy, there’s an easier way to ensure progress towards that goal.  Text the message AREA313 to the number 243725 and make a donation.

The Bryson DeChambeau Challenge

This off season I want you to add thirty pounds of muscle so you can hit for power.  That is basically the advice every baseball coach gives to every skinny 17-year-old baseball player.  But aside from spending five hours in the weight room every day, how are you supposed to accomplish it?

Earlier this week monumental golf stud Bryson DeChambeau revealed the diet he used to stack on 30 pounds of mostly muscle.  It was basically bacon and eggs, snacks, a PB and J sandwich, steak and potatoes and seven protein shakes per day.  I had to question this diet for one reason.  With all that protein, accompanied by an apparent lack of fiber, greens and fruit, the challenge that I see for DeChambeau is how in the world does he manage to take a crap.

Maybe all those protein shakes rip through him like the human equivalent of the Playdooh Fun Factory.  But I would suggest apples, pears, and salads of spinach and kale.

An Actual Golf Update

The big news at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time is that Matthew Wolf shot an 8-under 64 to join a four-way tie for first.  DeChambeau spanked a minus-5 for a share of the lead.  Seamus Power and Mark Hubbard each shot minus-6 to round out the current top of the leaderboad.

One of the best stories I read this morning concerned Chris Kirk, who stepped away from golf in April of 2019 to seek treatment for depression and alcoholism.  He’s back folks and looking good.  As I am writing this, Kirk shot a birdie and currently holds a piece of what has now become a five-way tie for first. His honesty about his personal challenges gives hope to others who might face similar barriers to work and life.  Talk about it, take steps to improve.  It’s possible.

Withdrawals:  Wyndham Clark withdrew from the Rocket Mortgage Classic yesterday after completing 13 holes due to a back injury.  This morning Talor Gooch withdrew before the start of the second round, also due to a back injury.  Neither player was setting the course on fire.

Open Your Mouth, Say Something Stupid:  The twisted sound bite of the week goes to Webb Simpson, who said, “The safest place that anyone can be in the United States right now is on the PGA Tour.”

The team here at McKenzie Golf Analysis take exception to this statement.  “The safest place in the United States right now is here on the couch in my living room, wearing my mask, slathering myself in hand sanitizer, and arranging to have my groceries and beer delivered to my front door,” stated sub-genius

Mike McKenzie. “I admire all the dudes on the tour, but if you really want to be safe, stay home.”

In the spirit of full disclosure, I took a lot of Simpson in my DFS lines this week.

 

Mike McKenzie

Portland, Oregon