Brandel Chamblee says he ‘absolutely hates’ what’s happening in golf right now that could help Bryson DeChambeau win the US Open

Bryson DeChambeau is chasing a third U.S. Open title, and according to Brandel Chamblee, he might just get it—thanks to a trend in golf that Chamblee despises.

After conquering Pinehurst in 2024 with a thrilling win over Rory McIlroy, DeChambeau is heading into the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont with momentum. Historically, Oakmont has been one of the toughest tests in golf, with its penal rough and tree-lined fairways. But things are changing, and Chamblee isn’t thrilled.

Speaking on the Favourite Chamblee podcast, the former pro and Golf Channel analyst warned about a shift in course design that could play right into DeChambeau’s power-hitting hands.

“There is a deforestation movement going on in golf right now, which I absolutely hate,” Chamblee said. “They say, ‘Oh, we’re going to return the course to its roots.’ But the reason these courses were tree-free in the first place was because developers had cleared them for housing. It wasn’t intentional design.”

Chamblee’s concern isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about the integrity of the game. He argued that trees and thick rough are essential to challenge elite players, and removing them oversimplifies championship courses.

Brandel Chamblee goes on an epic Bryson DeChambeau love fest rant 😂🥰😍 "He's an intellectual earthquake that transforms itself into athletic majesty"… pic.twitter.com/NP9q8x5IwV

— LIV Golf Enthusiast (@LIVGolfEnth) April 13, 2024

“Imagine deforesting the 13th at Augusta National,” Chamblee added. “It would make a mockery of the hole. Trees have a purpose. Every architect is now speaking the same language: cut trees, add angles, little rough… it might work for recreational players, but to test the world’s best, you need trees. You need rough.”

Ironically, this very trend could be a boost for DeChambeau.

Oakmont has long rewarded powerful driving, and Chamblee cited past champions like Ángel Cabrera and Dustin Johnson—big hitters who tamed the course. Now, with potential changes to the layout removing some of the tree-induced challenges, DeChambeau’s distance off the tee might become an even bigger asset.

And while Bryson’s U.S. Open record includes two wins, two missed cuts, and a mixed bag of finishes, one thing is clear: when he’s on, he’s lethal.

He’s played Oakmont just once—back in 2016—where he finished 15th as an amateur. But with course conditions now tilting in favor of aggressive play, DeChambeau could be poised to write a new chapter.

“Every time everyone in an industry is thinking the same damn thing,” Chamblee warned, “they’re wrong.”

This year, golf’s conformity may just give Bryson DeChambeau the edge he needs.