'Post-COVID-19' "Players' Appearances Have Changed"

Woods and Kepka, Fowler 'Beard Gang', DeChambeau "Bulking Up for Distance", Reed "Losing Weight for Performance"

Tiger Woods, Brooks Koepka, and Rickie Fowler (from left) appeared with beards during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "The players' appearances have changed."

This is the new tour climate created by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The U.S. Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour entered a forced hiatus after the first round of The Players Championship, known as the 'fifth major,' in March due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. After a long break, the 2020 season resumed on the 15th at the Colonial Golf Course near Fort Worth, Texas, with the Charles Schwab Challenge. The three-month-long COVID-19 situation brought many changes.

The 'revived golf emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) kicked things off. It was at last month's 'The Match: Champions for Charity,' where he faced off against veteran Phil Mickelson (USA). With professional golf tours worldwide halted due to COVID-19, golf fans' attention was even more focused. Unlike his usual clean-cut image, he appeared with a heavily grown beard, an unfamiliar look. At that time, he teamed up with NFL star Peyton Manning (USA) to secure a 'one-hole victory.'

Woods also grew a beard when he left the field due to a knee injury in 2011. At the Charles Schwab Challenge, world number 4 Brooks Koepka (USA) attracted attention with his mustache. His military-style closely cropped hair and mustache were impressive. At last week's RBC Heritage, he shaved his beard and returned to his former look. 'The field's fashionista' Rickie Fowler (also USA) drew attention by appearing with a mustache again, just like in 2002.

Bryson DeChambeau (left) gained weight, while Patrick Reed appeared after losing weight.

Some golfers have adjusted their weight to perform better. One of them is 'the scientist of the field' Bryson DeChambeau (USA). He significantly increased his body mass. "During the PGA Tour suspension due to COVID-19, I gained 9 kg, reaching 109 kg," he explained, adding, "I increased muscle mass through a strict diet and intense weight training at the gym." After finishing the 2019 season last September at 91 kg, he added 9 kg, and then another 9 kg this time.

In other words, he transformed into a 'big guy' to increase driving distance. DeChambeau, who ranked 34th in driving distance (302.5 yards) in the 2019 season, is currently second in average drive distance (320.5 yards) in the 2020 season. At the Charles Schwab Challenge, his power was evident with several drives exceeding 350 yards. Leading with an average of 340.3 yards over four rounds, he finished tied for third place (14 under par 266), just one stroke behind winner Daniel Berger (USA), proving his worth.

Conversely, there is a player who lost weight. Patrick Reed (USA), the 2018 Masters champion with eight career wins, adopted a 'breakfast diet' consisting of only three sausages, two fried eggs, and one avocado. Reed said, "I reduced my weight through simple meals," adding, "This alone is perfect. Although I eat less, the calories are not insufficient." His performance at the Charles Schwab Challenge was tied for seventh place, two strokes behind (13 under par 267).