Bryson DeChambeau batted away a question about the upcoming Saudi International with the deftness of one of his most powerful swings.
“First and foremost, I am not a politician,” he declared in a video conference with the media on Thursday, ahead of the tournament in the Middle East next month. “First and foremost, I’m a golfer, and I want to play where the top players in the world will be.” For me, that’s the end of the story.”
During a 30-minute Zoom call with the media ahead of the Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, DeChambeau was only brusque and upset once.
The tournament, which is supported by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, has drawn widespread condemnation from those who believe it and other Saudi-backed events are a cover-up for human rights violations. According to a report in the Washington Post, athletes who receive millions in appearance fees are collecting blood money.
The tournament is no longer a part of the DP World Tour, which was previously known as the European Tour; it is now a part of the Asian Tour. Last year, Saudi Arabia invested $200 million in the tour.
Rather than dwell on the controversy, DeChambeau, who tied for 18th in 2021 and tied for sixth in 2019, in his two previous appearances in the Saudi International, excitedly discussed a variety of other topics. The world No. 8 and 2020 U.S. Open champion confirmed that he recently became a partial owner of the Professional Long Drivers Association; he will continue to be a major presence on social media to tell his story and offer tips on how to play the game; he is confident that he will get longer on the golf course; and he expressed his renewed love for the game. He even explained why he’s wearing a golf cap instead of a tam o’shanter these days.
He remarked, “I feel like I’m flipping a page in my life, in my chapter, in my book.” “I’m continually evolving, changing, growing, and adapting, as I’ve always said.” It’s just another of those occurrences. I’m not sure if this is a thing that will stick around or if it will appear at random. I’m guessing it’ll be one that keeps you all on edge. It all depends on how I’m feeling that week and what I’m comfortable with.”
DeChambeau’s 2021 was marred by scandal, including a social media battle with Brooks Koepka, insulting his equipment, a dubious stance on not getting the COVID-19 vaccine, a refusal to speak to the press, and the possibility of retiring from golf.
But there were plenty of highlights, including his eighth PGA Tour victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational; a thrilling playoff loss to Patrick Cantlay in the BMW Championship and a third-place finish in the Players Championship; a stunning run to finish seventh in the Professional Long Drivers Association World Championships; and his Ryder Cup participation.
DeChambeau, on the other hand, considered leaving the game. The low point of 2021, he added, was when he tested positive for COVID-19 and had to withdraw from the Olympics. He returned to the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational after quarantine. He explained why he didn’t take the vaccine, and was roundly scolded – after which he stopped speaking to the press.
“This once amazing game that was giving me so much just turned on me,” DeChambeau remarked at the time. “It doesn’t seem worth it anymore.” That has altered as time has passed. I’ve matured. I’m aware of my current location.
“Is it still challenging and irritating at times?” Yes, just like everything else. But my main goal is to inspire and brag a little bit when I’m able to hit it really far and straight and then chip and putt it properly one day. That’s my favorite thing to do, and I’d like to keep doing it.
“It was because of that that I was able to keep progressing in the right direction.”
DeChambeau is taking it easy this week to ensure that the stiffness in his left wrist that led him to withdraw from the Sony Open in Hawaii this week is totally gone. DeChambeau, who tied for 25th in the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui last week with a field of 38, says he’ll play the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego in two weeks before flying to Saudi Arabia.
Here are some of the other subjects DeChambeau discussed.
“First and foremost, my life, my passion, is to play the greatest golf I can.” Second, I’d like to take the game to a level that has never been seen before. I want to keep growing it as Tiger did. I won’t have anywhere like Tiger’s clout, but I want to keep providing golfers and entertainers with a better platform, a bigger stage to allow everyone in the globe, all seven billion people, maybe a little more today, to see this amazing game.
“It has provided me with so many wonderful and incredible opportunities that I feel it is my responsibility to give back in any way I can.” The long drive is one of them. It’s something I’m passionate about, and it fits in perfectly with what I want to do in the game of golf. I believe there is a way to present athletes in a way that has never been done before.”
“First and foremost, my life, my passion, is to play the greatest golf I can.” Second, I’d like to take the game to a level that has never been seen before. I want to keep growing it as Tiger did. I won’t have anywhere like Tiger’s clout, but I want to keep providing golfers and entertainers with a better platform, a bigger stage to allow everyone in the globe, all seven billion people, maybe a little more today, to see this amazing game.
“It has provided me with so many wonderful and incredible opportunities that I feel it is my responsibility to give back in any way I can.” The long drive is one of them. It’s something I’m passionate about, and it fits in perfectly with what I want to do in the game of golf. I believe there is a way to present athletes in a way that has never been done before.”
