Formerly one of the most polarizing players in the sport, Bryson DeChambeau is now a man of the people. Pinehurst, North Carolina handpicked the LIV Golf star to be their hero, as he forged a lasting bond with the U.S. Open crowd throughout the iconic tournament.

This love affair culminated with his sensational sand save on the 18th hole and subsequent putt to clinch the title on Sunday night. DeChambeau, who won his first U.S. Open and major championship during COVID, expressed irrepressible joy, excitement and emotion in the face of such an outpouring of support.

He is still basking in his career-defining moment and taking time to help others experience an iota of the thrill that comes from obtaining immortality in the most vulnerable of circumstances at one of the most grueling golf courses in the country.

Golf Channel analyst and fellow player Johnson Wagner did his best to replicate the magnificence of DeChambeau's all-time great, 55-yard bunker shot but could not quite find the right balance of power and touch on his first attempt. Though, a visit from the champ himself appeared to make all the difference in the world.

DeChambeau arrived on the scene of his triumph and encouraged Wagner to give it another go. His presence, along with that of the U.S. Open trophy, might have been the motivation the three-time PGA Tour winner needed. Wagner astonishingly put the ball even closer to the hole than the man standing next to him did hours earlier, per Timmy Hall, leaving his NBC Sports colleagues in utter disbelief.

Bryson DeChambeau then allowed Wagner to hoist his trophy in celebration. This athlete has the magic touch right now, and he is using it to conquer the greens and entertain the masses.

Bryson DeChambeau is enjoying one heck of a turnaround

Although the 30-year-old has had an uneven year for LIV Golf, he has played like his old top-five self in majors. DeChambeau tied for sixth at the Masters and finished just one stroke behind Xander Schauffele at the PGA Championship before outlasting the snake-bitten Rory McIlroy to win the 2024 U.S. Open. His self-admitted growth is only adding to this torrid run.

DeChambeau rubbed many fans the wrong way with his personality, analytics-heavy approach and flat cap during his time on the PGA Tour. He seemed destined to carry the villain label throughout his career. His move to the Saudi-backed LIV and ensuing remarks about the country's government in June of 2023 offended people on a much deeper level. But the public is accepting the DeChambeau it is seeing in 2024.

Amid the tension during the final round of the U.S. Open, he signed an autograph for a young fan in a wheelchair. Epitomizing class and generosity in such a high-pressure environment is a genuine testament to the big upturn in popularity the SMU product is enjoying. Bryson DeChambeau won a significant chunk of the golf world's heart on Pinehurst No. 2.

And he also took a piece of McIlroy's. Judging by the exchange with Johnson Wagner, there is a good chance DeChambeau continues to captivate spectators and peers going forward.