'Hulk' Dechambo "Top Contender for Major Win"... What About 'Number 1' McIlroy?

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "The top contender for a major championship win."

'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA, photo) has emerged as the strongest favorite to win all three major tournaments on this year's PGA Tour. On the 7th (Korean time), Westgate, a sports betting company in Las Vegas, set DeChambeau's odds of winning the major championships?the PGA Championship in August, the US Open in September, and the Masters in November?at 10/1. This surpasses the 12/1 odds given to world No. 1 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland).

DeChambeau's best major finish so far is a tie for 15th at the 2016 US Open. In other words, he had not achieved notable success. However, this year he has been competing for the title in every tournament, changing the bookmakers' evaluations. He has finished in the 'top 8' in seven consecutive recent tournaments. A week ago, he shared 12/1 odds with McIlroy, but after winning the Rocket Mortgage Classic, which concluded on the 6th, he rose to first place. He also jumped to 4th in the US Ryder Cup selection rankings.

What is interesting about DeChambeau's competitiveness is his long driving distance. After the 2019 season ended in September last year, he increased his weight from 91 kg by 9 kg, and during the three-month PGA Tour suspension due to COVID-19, he gained another 9 kg, completing a large physique of 109 kg. He proudly stated that he "increased muscle mass through diet and intense exercise." In fact, he ranked first in average driving distance in the 2020 season (323.0 yards). Compared to 34th place last year (302.5 yards), this is an incredible improvement.

During his victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, he hit an astonishing 377 yards on the 17th hole (par 5) on the first day, averaging 350.6 yards over four rounds. This is a historic record, surpassing the 341.5 yards Tiger Woods (USA), the 'resurrected golf emperor,' recorded at the 2005 Open Championship held at St Andrews Old Course by 9 yards. DeChambeau argued, "If you hit it far, the next shot becomes relatively easier, allowing you to get closer to the hole."