Bryson DeChambeau wants sport to adapt as rowdy crowd pumps him up at LIV Golf Nashville

COLLEGE GROVE — Someone compared the atmosphere at the LIV Golf Nashville event to that of a basketball game, and that brought a smile to Bryson DeChambeau's face.

The U.S. Open champion said the lively — and at times downright rowdy — environment was precisely what he envisioned when he made the bold move to LIV Golf in 2022.

"Yeah, it felt like a basketball arena. It was awesome," he said Friday. "Why isn't golf in the 2020s? It's 2024. Golf needs to move forward, and this is what we're trying to do, and it's so cool to see all the fans out here cheering and supporting and rooting like a basketball game."

A huge gallery turned out to watch DeChambeau tee off in the shotgun start, following him and cheering wildly for every good shot or putt as he fired a 4-under 67 and finished tied for fourth.

Abraham Ancer is the leader at 7 under, followed by Tyrrell Hatton at 6 under and John Catlin at 5 under.

DeChambeau was within one shot of the lead through 15 holes and shot par on each of his final three holes. He is tied with Eugenio Chacarra, Sebastian Munoz and Sam Horsfield.

DeChambeau has hardly stopped since winning his second U.S. Open on Sunday at Pinehurst, toting his trophy around Nashville and showing it off every chance he has had. But it's starting to take a toll on his body and the suffocating heat Friday didn't help matters.

"I'm a bit of a zombie right now," he said. "Luckily the crowd has given me a lot of energy. Very gracious to have that happen, and man, they're just pushing me forward. It's so cool to see the support out there."

DeChambeau was pleased he was able to carry over his U.S. Open momentum into the first round. He wasn't sure that would be the case, considering the whirlwind he has experienced the previous three days.

"I didn't know how well I'd do today," he said. "But I know my game is in a really good spot. I'm putting well, hitting my irons really well, driving it solid, and yeah, I gave myself a lot of good chances today. I'm full-course press to do it again here this week."

DeChambeau finished with six birdies and two bogeys.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bryson DeChambeau compares LIV Golf Nashville event to basketball game