[Golf Topic] 'Momjjang' DeChambeau "Bulking Up is a Work in Progress~"

Bryson DeChambeau is preparing an iron shot on the first day of the Charles Schwab Challenge. Fort Worth, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ○…'Bodybuilder' Bryson DeChambeau (USA) is still bulking up...

DeChambeau said right after the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge (total prize money $7.5 million) held on the 12th (Korean time) at Colonial Golf Club in Fort Worth, Texas (par 70, 7,209 yards), "During the three months when the PGA Tour was suspended due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), I gained 9 kg, reaching 109 kg," adding, "Along with dietary control, I increased muscle mass through intense weight training at the gym."

After finishing the 2019 season last September, he added 9 kg to his 91 kg body weight, and this time added another 9 kg. This was to increase driving distance. It is interesting that DeChambeau is currently leading the 2020 season in average drive shot distance at 321.3 yards. Considering he was ranked 34th last year with 302.5 yards, this is a tremendous improvement. On this day as well, he demonstrated his power by exceeding 330 yards four times, including 353 yards on the 1st hole (par 5) and 354 yards on the 11th hole (par 5). He is tied for 7th place at 5 under par.

DeChambeau is famous as the 'scientist on the field' who strives to prove various scientific hypotheses on the course. His radical club setup that breaks common sense is newsworthy. All 10 irons from the 3-iron to the wedge have the same length of 37.5 inches and weigh 280 grams. He explained, "I learned from Homer Kelley's book Golfing Machine that you have to swing on the same path," adding, "So I matched the shaft lengths." Only the loft differs by 4 degrees each.

Following Sam Snead's (USA) 'side-saddle' putting attempt in 2016, DeChambeau chose a putter with a semicircular head and a shaft inserted in the middle of the body at the 2017 CareerBuilder Challenge, sparking a rules violation debate with the United States Golf Association (USGA). Recently, DeChambeau declared via social media that he would use a 48-inch long driver, drawing even more attention. Forty-eight inches is the maximum length allowed under USGA equipment regulations; usually, drivers are 45 to 46 inches. He confidently stated, "If I can control it, it will definitely help with long drives."

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