Bryson DeChambeau unexpectedly diverted en route to CFP game

Bryson DeChambeau’s SMU Mustangs played in their first-ever College Football Playoff game Saturday afternoon against Penn State. Unfortunately for the defending U.S. Open champ, he didn’t get to see much of it before it turned into a blowout.

Fresh off a defeat earlier this week at the Showdown, DeChambeau — and fellow professional golfer Harry Higgs — was among the thousands of SMU alumni and donors who traveled to State College for the game. So many, in fact, that the State College Regional Airport was closed shortly before the game and had to divert some private jets.

According to Yahoo Sports reporter Ross Dellenger, DeChambeau was among a group of SMU donors whose plane was diverted to Williamsport, Penn., about 65 miles from Beaver Stadium.

Dellenger posted a photo of several SMU high rollers, notably former SMU and NFL running back Craig James, taking a shuttle from Williamsport to the game. DeCheambeau can be seen in the bottom left just behind SMU Board of Trustees member Bill Armstrong, who took the photo.

The bus, seemingly well-served occupants, was due to arrive about an hour after the 12 p.m. ET kickoff, but — as this Penn State grad knows from sitting in brutal State College traffic for many noon kicks — it’s likely the group missed much of the first half.

This summer’s U.S. Open winner and his co-SMU alums are probably happy they did not have to sit through all of that half as temperatures in Happy Valley were in the 20s with wind chills in the low teens. Not to mention, Penn State took a 28-0 lead after the first half, largely credited to three interceptions by SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings.

However, despite the unfavorable result for DeChambeau, this author suggests he sticks around State College after the game to take advantage of the outstanding Happy Valley bar scene. If he needs recs, the author can be reached at jack.hirsh@golf.com.