Bryson DeChambeau made his return to competitive golf on Wednesday for the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play after missing two months of action. His swing at the first tee box could’ve gone better.
Before we go any further and dissect this absolutely inexplicable drive, it’s worth noting the reason DeChambeau hasn’t been on tour lately is because he was busy rehabbing a fractured hamate bone in his left hand and a torn labrum in his left hip. The 28-year-old reportedly hadn’t even tried using his irons until a week ago and admitted he won’t be going full tilt at the Austin, Texas tournament.
Got it? Ok. Now check this out:
Bryson's first swing on tour since January pic.twitter.com/qgJesCtzLH
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) March 23, 2022
Yikes!
Officially, DeChambeau drove 342 yards and out of bounds to the right. Had his shot stayed playable at that distance, he would’ve had a look at the green on a tricky par 4 at Austin Country Club. DeChambeau found a tent off the cart path and came to a rest next to an outlet underneath a folding table instead.
Again. Yikes.
Bryson posted a video of himself testing out his driver on Monday, and if that was supposed to inspire any confidence heading into his first round matchup against Richard Bland, it may have been deflated at hole No. 1.
Finally swinging my driver again. Time to push for the Masters. pic.twitter.com/6oiiNxqObj
— Bryson DeChambeau (@b_dechambeau) March 22, 2022
Fortunately, the error only led to a bogey. After take a drop, DeChambeau used three more strokes to halve the hole and reset himself at the No. 2 tee box.
Tipico Sportsbook listed DeChambeau at +4000 to win this weekend before play began. Anyone who grabbed those odds couldn’t have been too comforted by his start to the day.
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