DeChambeau vs McIlroy "Fierce Long Drive Battle"..."Who is the Top Power Hitter?"

Disembo Weighing 18kg Tops PGA Tour Long Drive Rankings with 'Bulk Up', McIlroy Carry 340-Yard Swing Analysis Monitor Revealed as a 'Challenge'

Bryson DeChambeau topped the 2020 PGA Tour in driving distance by gaining as much as 18 kg through a 'bulk up'.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "An average of 322.1 yards."

'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA) topped the driving distance rankings for the 2020 PGA Tour season. He gained even more spotlight by 'bulking up,' increasing his weight by 18 kg. The news started with the fact that he increased from 91 kg by 9 kg right after the 2019 season in September last year, and then added another 9 kg during the three-month PGA Tour suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March, completing a massive 109 kg physique.

Of course, it's because of his long drives. DeChambeau stated, "Along with dietary control, intense workouts have increased my muscle mass," and added, "If I can hit far, I can relatively get closer to the hole." In fact, during his win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in July, he hit a maximum of 377 yards. He even cleared the fairway bunker at Detroit Golf Club (Par 72, 7,334 yards) in Michigan, USA, making the course designer Donald Ross embarrassed.

DeChambeau's 'long drive experiment' shone at last month's 120th U.S. Open. At the notoriously difficult Winged Foot Golf Club (Par 70, 7,477 yards) in Mamaroneck, New York, he was the only player to finish under par, ultimately winning by six strokes (6-under 274). He proudly claimed, "I conquered a major in my own way." Attention should be paid to the fact that right after this victory, he was seen handling a '48-inch long-shaft driver.'

He has already started developing new equipment with golf manufacturers. Mathematically, every additional inch in shaft length increases centrifugal force, adding about 7 yards to the drive. The challenge is control. He said, "We are conducting various tests, including design changes to improve the strike rate," and expressed confidence, "I can drive an average of 370 yards." This makes the upcoming Shriners Children's Open at TPC Summerlin (Par 72, 7,243 yards) in Las Vegas, Nevada, on the night of the 8th, all the more intriguing.

Rory McIlroy recently joined the 'long drive competition' by sharing on social media a swing analysis device monitor showing a ball speed of 186 mph and a carry distance of 340 yards.

Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) recently challenged DeChambeau, heating up the 'long drive competition.' McIlroy, who ranked first in 2017 (317.2 yards) and 2018 (319.7 yards), is also a player who can boast impressive driving distance. Like DeChambeau, he relied on 'increased muscle mass' as his driving force. In 2017, he introduced that "through consistent weight training over the past two years, I reduced my body fat percentage from 24% to 10%, increasing muscle mass by 20 pounds (9 kg)."

He has been slightly falling behind in the long drive rankings, placing second in 2019 (313.5 yards) and fourth this year (314.0 yards). On the 4th, McIlroy posted on social media a swing analysis monitor showing a ball speed of 186 mph and a carry distance of 340 yards, along with a fiery dynamite illustration, hinting at his focus on distance. The 'long drive essence' of these two players is becoming a key theme for the 2021 season.

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