CALIFORNIA’S PACIFIC PALISADES – Bryson DeChambeau fought back Monday at claims that he is retiring from the PGA Tour, calling them “completely incorrect.”
DeChambeau, who has been linked to the Saudi-backed Super Golf League, has told other players that he won’t be playing any more Tour events, according to No Laying Up’s podcast on Sunday.
They mentioned on the podcast that “[DeChambeau] said he is no longer playing on the PGA Tour” while in Saudi Arabia. “That’s what he told the players.” “That’s what he said,” I said. “I don’t think all of the decisions have been made,” they continued later, “so you can’t, like, report on anything like that.” But, as far as I’m aware, the information I have comes from highly reliable sources, and that’s where things are right now.”
“There are numerous misleading allegations being around by the media that are entirely untrue,” DeChambeau wrote in a statement uploaded to Twitter. Any information about my health or playing schedule will only come from me and my team. This is another another erroneous report. I’m looking forward to getting back in shape and meeting everyone!”
Despite a star-studded field that includes 19 of the world’s top 25 players, DeChambeau will be absent from this week’s Genesis Invitational at Riviera as he continues to recover from injuries to his left hand and hip, which forced him to withdraw from the Asian Tour’s Saudi International two weeks ago.
In a phone conversation with GolfChannel.com, DeChambeau’s agent, Brett Falkoff, said the rumor about his skipping the Tour is “more bogus assertions” and that DeChambeau is “100 percent injured.”
The Genesis, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, is “one of his favorite tournaments on Tour,” according to Falkoff. “Physically, he is unable to play.”
DeChambeau had an MRI lately, according to Falkoff, but he wouldn’t say how serious the injuries were. DeChambeau was thought to be suffering from wrist soreness when he pulled out of the Sony Open last month, but it was actually a hand issue that had plagued him since December. He also hurt his left hip at the Saudi event earlier in the week, and he was observed walking with a pronounced limp during the first round.
DeChambeau, who is currently ranked 12th in the world, plans to recuperate for a few days before defending his title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 3-6. He nearly drove the green on Bay Hill’s par-5 sixth hole en route to victory last year, in one of the year’s most memorable moments. He successfully challenged the pond at a sponsor excursion at Bay Hill in December, landing one tee shot within 12 feet of the flag.
Falkoff stated, “He’s going to do everything he can to be there.” “He’s totally committed to being at Bay Hill.”
