Bryson DeChambeau, the defending champion, pulled out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Monday.
Since withdrawing from the Saudi International due to injuries to his left hand and hip, DeChambeau hasn’t played in nearly a month. He had intended to compete in Bay Hill, one of the game’s most prestigious regular-season events, but after increasing his exercise over the weekend, he concluded he wasn’t yet well enough.
DeChambeau stated he is “90 percent” healthy but didn’t want to risk re-injuring himself. He stated that he hopes to perform at The Players next week.
He added on social media, “I simply feel that it’s too short of time to get back to 100 percent, playing at 100 percent capability right now.” “I don’t want to injure myself any further and not be 100 percent ready for the rest of the season,” he said. I don’t want to have to return early and take more time off.
“Over the weekend, DeChambeau announced on social media that he was suffering from a bone bruise on his left hand, which he has had for several months. DeChambeau hit hundreds (if not thousands) of balls while driver testing and continuing his speed training in the weeks leading up to the new year, highlighting the problem. He was also struggling with a hip problem that he claimed he sustained when he slipped and fell earlier this month in Saudi Arabia.
It’s unclear whether DeChambeau will be able to commit to the Players Championship, the PGA Tour’s premier tournament, next week. Following a tremendous victory at Bay Hill, he tied for third at TPC Sawgrass last year.
DeChambeau has only had three top-10 finishes since then, and his world ranking has dropped from fifth to 12th.
DeChambeau has had a tumultuous time off the course as well. After being courted by organizers of the Saudi-backed Super Golf League, he stated two weeks ago that he will continue to play on the PGA Tour.
