DeChambeau Leaves SMU Following NCAA Sanctions Of Ex-Coach
/Bryson DeChambeau, the current U.S. Amateur and NCAA individual champion is (as expected) leaving school following the placement of the SMU program on postseason probation.
Ryan Lavner reports at GolfChannel.com:
DeChambeau, who became only the fifth player to win the NCAAs and U.S. Amateur in the same year, is exempt into the first three majors of 2016 by virtue of his U.S. Am title. If he were to turn pro before the Masters, he would forfeit those exemptions.
The expectation is that DeChambeau, 22, will turn pro after the Masters. He said that he intends to complete his degree at a future date.
“SMU, my coaches and the athletic department have been incredibly supportive of my decision and I owe them a great debt of gratitude for all of their support,” he said.
Lavner says DeChambeau may be playing in the Argentine and Australian Opens next month.
DeChambeau and his SMU teammates played no role in the violations committed, resulting in the probation. That did not stop the NCAA from essentially giving the program the golfing death penalty and spoiling careers, not to mention stripping the NCAA Championships of a potential title defense from a budding star.