‘Hulk’ DeChambeau "Giving Up Long Drives"... 'Physical and Equipment Limits'

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'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA) has given up on long drives.

On the 2nd (local time), DeChambeau said on the LIV Golf homepage, "Having realized the limits of my body and equipment, I will no longer try to increase my driving distance," adding, "I have also reduced the size of my once enlarged physique." DeChambeau explained, "There is a limit to increasing swing speed through engineering technology. Once ball speed exceeds 185 mph, control becomes impossible," and added, "If you hit a ball at 200 mph ball speed and land it on the fairway, it would be astonishing and an absolute weapon, but that is still impossible."

'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau has announced his decision to give up long drives due to physical and equipment limitations.

When DeChambeau first stepped into the PGA Tour, he had a modest physique and recorded average driving distances. However, by bulking up and extremely increasing his swing speed, he transformed into a powerful long hitter and gained attention. In 2021, he became the long drive champion with an average drive distance of 323.7 yards. He was so eager for distance that he participated in the long drive competition, where long drive specialists compete, for two consecutive years.

However, after a wrist injury last year, DeChambeau's performance declined, and even after leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, he failed to show notable achievements. It was a year without a single victory since his debut. In April last year, he underwent surgery for a left wrist fracture. The injury was caused by overly intense training to increase swing speed. Additionally, he lost a significant amount of weight due to digestive issues. He once rose to 4th in the world rankings but has now dropped to 96th.

In December last year, DeChambeau underwent surgery to remove a maxillary sinus retention cyst. Due to this condition, breathing through his nose was difficult, and he often complained of dizziness and vertigo. DeChambeau said, "It was the biggest decision of my life," and added, "Now I feel full of energy." He continued, "My thoughts have become clearer," and added, "I feel like I have returned to who I was in 2018."

DeChambeau will participate in the Asian Tour 2023 season opener, the PIF Saudi International, held this afternoon at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. A large number of LIV Golf players, including last year's Open Champion Cameron Smith (Australia), Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, and Bubba Watson (all USA), will also compete.