Bryson DeChambeau put the golf world on notice this year, highlighting just how much distance is out there for the taking.
That is, if you’re willing to put in the work and keep up with a diet that includes six protein shakes a day. While the PGA Tour went on a 13-week hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, golf’s mad scientist put down the beaker and picked up the dumbbells, bulking up to a 240-pound frame (up 40 pounds total since September 2019).
His distance gained off the tee was staggering. During the 2019-20 season, DeChambeau led the Tour in driving with an average of 322.1 yards off the tee, up 20 yards compared to the previous season.
When tournament golf returned, DeChambeau logged consecutive finishes of T-3, T-8 and T-6 before winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic in July. He added another win in September at the U.S. Open, his first major title.
The world No. 5’s impressive season also produced some bizarre drives. Here are some of our favorites.
Bryson’s best bombs
The 428-yard bomb-turned-bogey
During the second round of the Travelers Championship, DeChambeau’s drive on the par-4 10th took the David Simms from Tin Cup route, riding the cart path to a booming distance of 427 yards.
After getting relief from the path, DeChambeau had just 46 yards to the green. And he somehow wound up making bogey.
Just when you thought you'd seen it all …@B_DeChambeau just hit a 428-yard drive (with a little help).#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/QOFTMpHBoL
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 26, 2020
The Masters drive that wasn't
This one was a tough break. Entering the Masters as a major champion and the tournament favorite, DeChambeau’s second round got off to a shaky start after his drive on No. 3 went missing in the rough.
Without patrons in attendance at Augusta National and despite the efforts of a search party, nobody could find DeChambeau’s ball in time. So, he took a cart back to the tee, hit a second drive and went on to card a triple-bogey 7.
Bryson: If you’re reading, keep reading. This will get more fun!
Bryson DeChambeau finished with a triple bogey on No. 3 after losing his tee shot in the rough. He followed with a bogey on No. 4 and sits two shots below the projected cut line.
Friday’s rounds are live now on ESPN ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/S2PQUWv7hu
— ESPN (@espn) November 13, 2020
200 mph ball speed on the range at Augusta National
With a 48-inch driver and Sir Nick Faldo recording, nonetheless.
💪💥 I think that's all that needs to be said! @TheMasters pic.twitter.com/dKykEVuCTL
— Sir Nick Faldo (@NickFaldo006) November 11, 2020
"That's pretty nasty." - Phil Mickelson
A lot of people had a lot to say about DeChambeau this year.
When it comes to hitting a driver in 2020, is there a better compliment than “that’s pretty nasty” from the bomb-hitting, shades-wearing, coffee-loving Phil Mickelson?
"That's pretty nasty."@PhilMickelson appreciates the bombs @b_dechambeau is hitting at the @TravelersChamp. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/kcYPYqHJnn
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 25, 2020
Driving a par 4 on consecutive days
During the first round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in October, DeChambeau hit nine tee shots that broke the 300-yard barrier, including this 365-yard blast that reached the green on the par-4 7th. Check it out at the 2:52 mark. He did it again on Friday and made eagle.
When he was too long for the range
The USGA and R&A’s distance report talked about the impact of distance on golf courses. But what about driving ranges?
DeChambeau hits his driver so far that the range at the RBC Heritage can’t contain it. This actually happened.
Insane speed from @b_dechambeau Launching bombs and having to move to the very back of the range or it’d be in someone’s kitchen 360 yards away. Unbelievably impressive to witness 🔥🔥💣💣💣🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/LPLdHrPsHR
— Jonathan Yarwood (@JonathanYarwood) June 16, 2020
The 400-yard carry
Who cares if it was in a practice session, a 400-yard carry is no joke. And it wasn’t even the 48-inch driver! If only there were video.
Bryson DeChambeau shows off his 403-yard carry drive in one of his Instagram stories.
Last but not least
If you’ve read this far, you must really love DeChambeau.
As a treat for making it to the end, here’s a 3 minute compilation video of Bryson bombs, courtesy of the PGA Tour.
