Opinion & Analysis
Gianni: Bryson DeChambeau is the most compelling golfer since Tiger Woods
Jordan Spieth is one of the most popular golfers on the planet and did everything in his power to steal the show on Saturday at Bay Hill.
An Ace, bunker hole-out, 130-feet of putts holed? By anyone’s standards, that’s outrageous and headline-worthy. Yet Spieth’s magic was upstaged by the one-man show that is Bryson DeChambeau.
A friend of mine hadn’t watched a round of live golf since the Masters in November. On Saturday, he made sure to check in on Bryson on the 6th hole, having read during the week that he might try and drive the par 5 hole. DeChambeau didn’t disappoint.
The result? He was glued to the broadcast until Corey Conners tapped in his par putt on 18.
That’s star power, rock star appeal, the sort of magnetic attraction that only Tiger Woods has provided in recent times. That’s Bryson DeChambeau.
In fact, the last time there was so much anticipation and attention over a single drive was back in 2010 when Tiger returned to the course at Augusta National following the now infamous 2009 Thanksgiving Day soap opera.
However, as is our times’ culture, some can’t stand to see others achieve and feel the need to downplay extraordinary feats.
When Bryson struck that epic blow over the lake on 6, some folks on social media moaned, ‘he bailed to the right’. To that, here are the numbers:
- Clubhead Speed: 136.737 mph
- Ball Speed: 195.58 mph
- Smash Factor: 1.43
- Launch: 11.928
- Apex: 124.195
- Carry: 346.7
- Total Distance: 370.2 yards
All this from a guy who said he would go ahead and give it a go, and you know what’s refreshing about Bryson? It’s not all talk with this guy. If he says something, you better believe he’ll do it.
370 yards. ??
The longest drive on the 6th hole since 2003.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/zkL2jlU8S3
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 6, 2021
Analysts have in the past poked fun at him for his ‘pseudo-science’, yet there’s nothing pseudo about it. The Californian is so bright that he tricked others into believing that his methods were insane, and in the process, became the longest hitter on tour and picked up a U.S. Open title.
Adding to his star is how he’s a compelling listen and inadvertently hilarious. Whether it’s from telling media that he eats ‘what he wants whenever he wants’ or his vow to ‘get bigger and stronger’ after the 2020 Masters, his personality is very engaging.
For many, a U.S. Open win is a career definer, but for Bryson, it’s a stepping stone, and it’s time to really cash in over the next couple of years. My message to Bryson now would be similar to the words spoken by Frank Pentangeli to Michael Corleone in Godfather II: “Look, let’s get ’em all — let’s get ’em all now, while we got the muscle.“
Bryson, you certainly have the muscle. Go to Augusta and shake things up, slip-on that green jacket and let all the members know you’ve left your mark on the game for good. Then go to the Open and make the traditional suits uncomfortable as you let your new breed of golf shine because there’s no doubt that the USGA and R&A are going to try and gatecrash this party.
Like a gambler at the table currently on a good streak, Bryson should continue to up the stakes. Go for more. If there’s one current golfer now who has proven that if you think it, no matter how wild, and work hard, then you can achieve it, it’s DeChambeau.
Rory, Jordan and others have threatened in the past to grasp the limelight for good, but Saturday at Bay Hill was the latest indication that Bryson might actually do it.
Nobody is ever going to come remotely close to Tiger’s star power, and when the great man returns, he will once again take back the spotlight. However, in his absence, golf does have a genuinely fascinating storyline that keeps getting more and more interesting.
What happened on Saturday when Bryson cleared the lake didn’t seem to be golf. Nor even another sport. It was just uniquely Bryson – thrilling, compelling and leaving us wanting more.
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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Club Junkie
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I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
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Abe
Mar 8, 2021 at 10:30 pm
“All this from a guy who said he would go ahead and give it a go, and you know what’s refreshing about Bryson? It’s not all talk with this guy. If he says something, you better believe he’ll do it.“
Except for the fact that he quite literally did not give it a go…
Pingback: Morning 9: Bryson bests Bay Hill | Ernst wins Drive On | Koepka out of Players with knee injury – GolfWRX
Howard Hayden
Mar 8, 2021 at 12:27 pm
Tiger: “great man”? Nothing whatsoever against him but my hunch is that not even he would call himself a great man. A great golfer for sure and still a work in progress otherwise.
JG
Mar 8, 2021 at 10:12 am
You lost me when you started conflating Bryson DeChambeau to Tiger Woods. Let’s see what the TV ratings were before we go comparing BD to TW.
Mike Boese
Mar 8, 2021 at 10:19 am
You didn’t read the whole article evidently. The author specifically calls this out.
William Davis
Mar 8, 2021 at 9:22 am
He definitely leads to field in free drops.
The more you know
Mar 8, 2021 at 6:23 am
The (((media))) building Bryson up and waiting for just the right time to tear him down.
Dennis
Mar 8, 2021 at 12:39 am
I like him but I think he only has a chance to win when the fairways are tight and narrow.
Freddie J
Mar 7, 2021 at 4:45 pm
Bryson is a lot of fun and entertaining. When he is on – he is good as anybody. He is a clean cut guy who does not get DWIs.
Realist
Mar 7, 2021 at 4:14 pm
Bryson is fat, hits the ball a long way, uses unique clubs, and wears a lame hat. Yes, he is an excellent player but why are we acting like this dude is so intriguing? I just don’t see it
Jbone
Mar 7, 2021 at 9:54 pm
He’s pretty different than the average tour pro, no?
I think your username should be Hater
Realist
Mar 8, 2021 at 12:22 pm
OK fan boy, see ya on the driving range with your corny hat and one length clubs. Dude is a great player who has a really annoying cry baby personality on the course. Ignoring that is just being contrarian for the sake of being a contrarian.
Livininparadise
Mar 8, 2021 at 1:46 pm
Easy there big fella. Nothing jbone wrote was not true. Watch bryson on 6 was cant miss golf tv, regardless of how you feel
HKO
Mar 7, 2021 at 1:51 pm
this article is trolling, itself with a clickbait headline. lol
dat
Mar 7, 2021 at 12:13 pm
Certainly going to be interesting when he can put it all together and go -30 for the week at Augusta.
The Adams Family
Mar 7, 2021 at 11:33 am
Damon Hack looks like Uncle Fester.
Golf Central
Mar 7, 2021 at 11:52 am
Bring back Morning Drive!!!
Uncle Fester
Mar 9, 2021 at 4:42 pm
F**k you! I’m way better looking than him.
Matt
Mar 7, 2021 at 11:18 am
While it was definitely a smashed drive, he didn’t spend this week hyping up “going for a landing spot further up the fairway.”
Jbone
Mar 7, 2021 at 10:58 am
Great article.
The usga and R&A is undoubtedly trying to break up the fun. Cant have the snob members of these east coast country clubs getting their feelings hurt by Bryson.
Divot Diggler
Mar 7, 2021 at 11:05 am
I agree !!! Let the game and players evolve!!!
Those who have a club head speed of 134MPH ………DO!!!
Those who don’t …………..Regulate !!!
Lk
Mar 7, 2021 at 10:28 am
Awesome read! I’m not a huge fan but I appreciate a guy who builds some intriguing and then delivers.
Divot Diggler
Mar 7, 2021 at 8:44 am
Currently the most interesting player in Golf !!! Bryson moves the ratings needle when he is in contention……He certainly makes the tournaments he plays in more exciting !!!
Fredo
Mar 7, 2021 at 1:50 pm
DeshamBlowMe moving the needle, omg, what are you smoking. The dude is a sideshow, who doesn’t even belong in Tigers shadow!
Big GG
Mar 8, 2021 at 6:38 am
Sideshow???? When he gets attacked by his wife with a golf club and crashes his car trying to get away, When he falls asleep at the wheel because of too much Ambien, When he crashes into a guard rail and has no idea because he is addicted to pain killers. When he rolls his car and breaks multiple bones and is lucky to be alive and now may be facing a criminal inquiry. Only then will he become a sideshow.
gwelfgulfer
Mar 8, 2021 at 9:17 am
Just think how much more Tiger could have done without all these “distractions”, just shows how much better he was than anyone else, ever…
JimK
Mar 8, 2021 at 11:20 am
You do realize that opiate addiction is an illness and a national epidemic, don’t you? Do you feel the same way about the millions of other Americans who are addicted, or is it just Tiger who makes you so angry because he’s a celebrity?
Livininparadise
Mar 8, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Ok snowflake. No personal responsibility, check. Someone who makes that type of cash should hire a driver instead of putting innocent people’s lives at risk. But I get it, he didn’t kill anyone so anyone checking him is wrong
Benny
Mar 8, 2021 at 4:28 pm
I was addicted to pain pills. In recovery, sober 8 years now. It sucks and I was a big athlete growing up. Lots of injuries and after some nroken ribs I was give a monthly scribt of 512’s. I remember like it was yesterday. 17 years later and I am back on track but almost died and was completely lost and out of comtrol.
For Tiger to do what he did and then not get addicted from all his injuries would be astonishing. He very well could have crashed his truck because he was done and knew it would get him pills. Wouldn’t have been the first or last time.
I saw a buddy stabg himself for admittance.