On the course, DeChambeau rarely does anything conventional.
Whether it is using single-length clubs, bulking up his body or switching to LIV Golf, he is known for an idiosyncratic approach which polarises perception.
On an attritional Friday afternoon at Royal Birkdale – before all the post-round chaos – DeChambeau bucked the trend once again.
The two-time major champion made mincemeat of increasing afternoon winds to put himself into contention at a tournament which few thought he could win.
Earlier this week, three-time Open champion Nick Faldo – the last Englishman to claim the Claret Jug back in 1992 – insisted DeChambeau had little chance of winning on the Merseyside links.
Why? “He has – and I’d say it to his face – zero clue of strategy,” Faldo said on Sky Sports.
DeChambeau has previously shown an attitude that he can simply outpower courses, leading Faldo to believe he is all brawn and no brains.
He did not help change these perceptions at this year’s Masters. He boasted he could outhit Augusta National and ended up going home at the halfway stage after the course bit back.
Further missed cuts followed at the US PGA Championship and US Open, leaving DeChambeau arriving at Birkdale aiming to avoid becoming the first multiple major winner to miss all four cuts since 1990.
After his opening round of 67, DeChambeau refused to speak to the media but, in a short interview with Open organisers, talked up his “strategy” on three occasions.
It was not subtle. On Friday, his golf did the talking.
Former European Tour winner Andrew Murray, who followed DeChambeau around the course for BBC Radio 5 Live, was impressed by his patience and sensible approach.
“Sometimes he did try to outpower the course, but what was most impressive was his short game. He played very linksy golf. And he has got the game to win around here, no question,” said Murray.
