'COVID-19 Recovered' DeChambeau "Starts with 5-Under Par"... What About 'Tokyo Olympic Gold' Schauffele?

WGC Series FedEx St. Jude Invitational Day 1 Tied 6th, English Leads at 8 Under, Lee Kyung-hoon Tied 26th at 1 Under

Bryson DeChambeau is teeing off on the 16th hole on the first day of the FedEx St. Jude Invitational. Memphis, USA - Photo by Getty Images/Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ‘The Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau has embarked on a quest for his third victory.

On the 6th (Korean time), at the Southwind Golf Club in Memphis, Tennessee, USA (par 70, 7,233 yards), the first day of the PGA Tour FedEx St. Jude Invitational (total prize money $10.5 million) opened, and DeChambeau posted 5-under par to tie for 6th place. This tournament is also part of the World Golf Championships (WGC) series, known as a ‘money feast.’ Harris English leads at 8-under par, with Matthew Wolff (both from the USA) and two others chasing in a tie for 2nd place at 6-under par 64, two strokes behind.

DeChambeau secured his ‘two-win milestone’ early last March at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, following the major US Open included in the 2021 season last September. The ‘bulk-up effect’ from gaining a whopping 18 kg last year continues. He ranked 34th in the 2019 season (302.5 yards), 1st in 2020 (322.1 yards), and again 1st this year (320.9 yards) in driving distance. During the final day of his Arnold Palmer Invitational victory, he entertained fans with a ‘one-shot attempt’ on the par-5 6th hole.

It is interesting that DeChambeau tested positive for COVID-19 just before the Tokyo Olympics. He said, “I received treatment and fully recovered, but lost 4.5 kg and my swing speed slowed by 5 miles per hour,” adding, “I felt fatigued.” However, on this day, he collected six birdies (one bogey). He activated his ‘computer iron shots’ with a maximum drive of 344 yards and a green hit rate of 72.22%, and his green play stood out with an average of 1.62 putts per hole.

English is a player to watch. He won both the Sentry Tournament in January and the Travelers Championship in July after playoffs. Especially at the Travelers, he drew the spotlight by finally sinking the winning birdie after an eight-hole playoff battle. The eight-hole playoff in the PGA Tour is the second longest in history; Lloyd Mangrum and Cary Middlecoff played an 11-hole playoff at the 1949 Motor City Open, which ended in a co-championship.

Lee Kyung-hoon is teeing off at the 12th hole on the first day of the FedEx St. Jude Invitational. Memphis, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

Defending champion Justin Thomas is rushing to defend his title from a tie for 13th at 3-under par. ‘The Open Champion’ Collin Morikawa (both from the USA) and ‘Shrek’ Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa), who has been frustrated with four runner-up finishes this season, have joined this group. Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele (USA) is looking for an opportunity from a tie for 36th at 1-under par. From Korea, Lee Kyung-hoon (30) is tied for 26th at 2-under par, and Im Sung-jae (23) and Kim Si-woo (26, both from CJ Logistics) are tied for 46th at even par.