Bryson DeChambeau won the Arnold Palmer Invitational this weekend and is proving once again that when it comes to golf, size matters. Bryson famously made the decision to beef up, add muscle and do anything in his power to maximize speed and distance in his golf game. It’s working.
Bryson has added 40+ pounds since he left college to join the PGA Tour, 20 of which were added during the Covid hiatus of the 2020 season. He has rubbed many people the wrong way with how he has gone about his evolution. The golf purists and old timers think he’s ruining the game with his distance and many of the younger golf fans dislike him for other reasons. His slow pace of play, awkward personality and constant excuses and complaints are often criticized by fans, the media and even fellow Tour members.He’s as polarizing of a player as there is on the PGA Tour and for better or worse, Bryson is consistently in the headlines. Outside of one incident this weekend with a hot mic picking up Bryson bitching about the bunkers at Bay Hill, everything else seemed to go in a positive direction for DeChambeau.
There’s absolutely no denying one thing… Bryson Dechambeau is an electric factory.Arnold Palmer Invitational
Bryson’s speed, power, distance, and electricity were all on display throughout the weekend. All of these things were brought to the forefront though on the famous 6th hole at Bay Hill. The long par 5 wraps around water, forcing the players to carry a long ways over the hazard in search of dry land to safely hit their tee shots. Most players play the hole conservatively, not by choice, but because the course forces you to. Nobody in the history of golf has been able to think about carrying the ball 340 yards over water… well insert Bryson.
Watching Bryson hit his 6th hole tee shots was must watch TV this weekend. Not only was it fun for fans, but the energy became contagious even with the other competing players. After the 377 yard drive on Sunday, his playing partner and co-leader at the time Lee Westwood, couldn’t help but react with a celebration of his own after reaching land safely at a whopping 306 yards lol.
Outside of the 6th, he continued to put his power on display time and time again throughout the tournament. It’s not just the driver that his strength and power help with.
Bryson Wins
Bryson would go on to power his way around the course and win the Arnold Palmer Invitational over Lee Westwood by a single stroke. Despite some inconsistencies, DeChambeau has been incredibly impressive when he is on, since bulking up. He dominated last year’s US Open to win his first career major championship, now gets his first win of the 2021 season. The win will firmly place him into the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings and now has him atop the FedEx Cup points list.
Other Arnold Palmer Invitational Notes
Jordan Spieth finished top five for the third time in his last four starts. He’s rounding into form and his redemption story is an awesome one. Spieth is one of the few guys that can carry the tour when playing well that’s not named Tiger Woods.Jordan Spieth made one of the three(!!!) hole-in-one’s this weekend.
Rory was in contention to start with on Sunday, but after attempting to carry the ball like Bryson on #6, he found the water twice off the tee and made a double. A final round 76 eliminated him from the win, but still finished T-10.
Only three players shot under par in the windy conditions on Sunday. All the more impressive by Bryson to do so while battling for a victory.
Golf Next Week:
The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. LFG.
Be on the lookout for picks and preview.