Bryson DeChambeau had the 2018 Porsche European Open in his hands in Germany, and he couldn't close the deal. A little more than a week after an epic driving-range freak-out was captured by Golf Channel cameras, DeChambeau had a great chance in Hamburg to take down his first European Tour title.
After entering the final round with a share of the lead, DeChambeau ballooned to 6-over 78 on Sunday, clearing the way for Richard McEvoy to birdie the final hole, win the tournament and himself avoid a meltdown which could have resulted in a four-man playoff.
Following McEvoy's closing birdie to win on 11-under total with a final round of 1-over 73, DeChambeau appeared to offer a weak, quick congratulatory acknowledgement to the Englishman.
@b_dechambeau
Didn't do yourself any favours there Bryson! Plenty of style - but no class. pic.twitter.com/bLD4Pies4I— Noel Gallagher (@estshuffle) July 29, 2018
Something like that is glaringly obvious to anyone watching, and some of DeChambeau's peers were quick to point out the rude behavior.
Has to be said, as far as classless handshakes go, that was a good’n!
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) July 29, 2018
I’m pretty sure @b_dechambeau will be slightly embarrassed about now , terrible reaction on the 72nd .. zero class sadly 🙈... though I’m sure @RichardMcEvoy79 won’t give a toss though ...😂
— Dick fulchers lad (@Fooch1993) July 29, 2018
DeChambeau had to feel Sunday was a chance to make up for a rough few weeks with his mechanics, but the day got away from him. Nonetheless, that's no reason to handle himself so poorly in that situation, even if he figured he should have been the man to win the title. He didn't, but he didn't handle it like a champ.
On Sunday evening, DeChambeau took to Instagram to apologize.
“I apologize to Richard McEvoy and the fans for my brevity on 18,” DeChambeau wrote. “He is a class act, worthy champion and I enjoyed playing with him the past two days.”
Of course, this will inevitably spur some kind of odd discussion about golf's manners and etiquette, and that it doesn't always work that way in the wider world of sport. No matter. A handshake is expected behavior at the round of golf.
