'Hulk' DeChambeau "Fresh Start with 5 Under Par"... 'Number 1' Johnson at 3 Under Par

Saudi International Day 1 Tied 4th, Hoshi Leads at 9 Under, Hatton Tied 17th, Mickelson Tied 31st

Bryson DeChambeau is teeing off at the 17th hole on the first day of the Saudi International. King Abdullah Economic City (Saudi Arabia) = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau (USA) had a refreshing start.

On the 5th (Korean time), at the Royal Greens Golf Club (par 70, 7,010 yards) in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, the first day of the European Tour Saudi International (total prize money $3.5 million) ended with him posting 5 under par, placing him in a tie for 4th. David Horsey (England) took the lead (9 under par 61), followed by Steven Gallagher (Scotland) in 2nd place (8 under par 62), and Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) in 3rd place (6 under par 64), all engaged in a chase.

DeChambeau started at the 10th hole (par 4), recording 7 birdies and 2 bogeys. After a bogey on the 11th hole (par 3), he recovered with a birdie on the 15th hole (par 4), then fired three consecutive birdies on the 17th, 18th, and 1st holes. After a brief pause with a bogey on the 3rd hole (par 3), he showed fierce stamina with back-to-back birdies on the 4th and 5th holes and another birdie on the 7th hole (par 4). His powerful drives averaged 338.5 yards, and his putting was exceptional with an average of 1.5 putts per hole. He is 4 strokes behind the leader, in a position to challenge for the win.

DeChambeau is the major champion who won the US Open last September. He has 7 PGA Tour wins and 2 European Tour wins. Since last year, he has been focusing on increasing muscle mass and adjusting driver loft and shaft length to increase distance. He currently ranks first in driving distance on the PGA Tour this year (329.2 yards), capable of hitting over 400 yards. This is his second appearance this year after tying for 7th at last month’s PGA Tour Sentry Tournament.

Horsey displayed flawless play with 9 birdies and no bogeys, including 5 consecutive birdies. He is ranked 282nd in the world and has 4 wins on the European Tour. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson (USA) made 3 birdies and is tied for 17th place (3 under par 67). Johnson is a strong contender with 24 PGA Tour wins, including the Masters title last November. He is 6 strokes behind the leader and has a chance to claim the title again after winning the inaugural tournament in 2019.

‘Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship champion’ Tyrrell Hatton and Lee Westwood (both England) joined the tie for 17th place. Veterans Phil Mickelson, Tony Finau (both USA), and Tommy Fleetwood (England) are tied for 31st place (2 under par 68). ‘Farmers Insurance Open champion’ Patrick Reed (USA) and Paul Casey (England) are tied for 49th place (1 under par 69), while defending champion Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) finished tied for 72nd place (even par 70).