'Hulk' DeChambeau's Power Protest... "Carry Only 370 Yards?"

Ahead of the Travelers Championship, Attempting '1-On' at the 420-Yard 17th Hole During Practice Round

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Carry distance alone was 370 yards."

'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA, photo) demonstrated his power. On the 25th (Korean time), during a practice round held a day before the PGA Tour Travelers Championship (total prize money $7.4 million) at River Highlands TPC in Cromwell, Connecticut (par 70, 6,841 yards), he attempted a '1-on' at the 17th hole (par 4, 420 yards). Interestingly, he easily cleared the 360-yard water hazard. He stated, "I succeeded after trying three or four times."

DeChambeau is the player who recently made news by bulking up and conducting a 'long drive experiment.' He explained, "During the three months when the PGA Tour was suspended due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), I gained 9 kg, reaching 109 kg." It is noteworthy that after finishing the 2019 season last September at 91 kg, he added 9 kg, and this time added another 9 kg. He added, "Along with dietary control, I increased muscle mass through intense weight training."

DeChambeau is currently ranked 2nd in average driving distance for the 2020 season (320.5 yards). Considering he was 34th last year (302.5 yards), this is a tremendous improvement. In the 4th round of the RBC Heritage on the 21st, he hit a massive 367 yards. When clearing the water hazard that day, the ball speed was measured at 198 mph. He added a strategy, "In actual play, I probably won't always use the driver." He will be paired with another long hitter, Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), in rounds 1 and 2.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.