Mullarney gets double lift from DeChambeau

Ronan Mullarney

Ronan Mullarney got a lift from Bryson DeChambeau in more ways than one as he prepared for his dream debut in The Open.

The Galway man (27) earned his spot after finishing tied second in Final Qualifying at Prince's, and he's a man with a plan after asking the Mad Scientist dozens of questions on the game during a recent practice session at Doonbeg, then catching a lift on DeChambeau's jet from Shannon to St Andrews.

The pair hit it off as Mullarney's Dad, Tom, owns an indoor driving range and teaches The Golf Machine method DeChambeau has made his own.

"He couldn't have been nicer; he was so open with the information. I was amazed," Mullarney said. "He asked how I was getting over, and when I said from Dublin, he said, 'we are flying from Shannon if you want to come with me.' Brought me on the jet here."

Mullarney won the R&A Scholars Tournament at St Andrews in 2018, the AIG Irish Close at Ballybunion in 2019 and even shot a 10-under 62 in that year's Flogas Irish Amateur Open at Rosses Point.

He's got a tidy game based on course management rather than power, but he sees eye to eye with DeChambeau on the golf swing and hopes to execute his game plan this week.

Ronan Mullarney and Bryson DeChambeau prepare to jet off to The 150th Open from Shannon airport. Picture via IrishGolfer.ie

"The Golf Machine, as Bryson would call it, is like a recipe book," Mullarney said. "You could swing a club millions of different ways and he has a lot of them covered, so you can just pick and choose how you want to construct your golf swing.

"It was great to talk to him about it. Some of the things he figured out are incredible. A very interesting character, very helpful. I haven't met too many people in the public eye, especially someone as big as him, who has been as giving with their time. He couldn't give me enough time, couldn't help me enough.

"When I was organising to go down to Doonbeg, I was told he was going to be there. I got writing, got writing the questions. He answered each one of them.

"I think that was the perfect preparation. He is one of the biggest stars in golf. To familiarise myself with someone like that was brilliant."

Mullarney won in horrific conditions at St Andrews in 2018 and believes he can compete in firm and fast conditions too.

"I hit the ball lower; the wind might affect me less than some of the others," he said. "I've played the course in every breeze. So, preparation-wise, there is not a whole lot more I can do. But it will be interesting to see how I cope. I am looking forward to seeing how I cope. Hopefully well.

"I've set out a plan. I set out a plan for every course I play. And the key will be, 'how well can I stick to that plan?' If I can stick to that plan, no matter where I finish or how I do, I've done my job after that.

"It is a great achievement (to come through qualifying), but I think I now have the chance to do something that's a great achievement.

"I could say I want to make the cut or come top 10 or any of that stuff. It's only words. I'll stick to my plan and see where it leaves me."