BRYSON IS STILL PREPARED TO GO FOR LONG DRIVE
New rules will help me stay ahead says big-hitting star
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU claims he is flattered that the R&A and USGA are set to sanction distance controls in a move that has been dubbed ‘Bryson-proofing’.
The governing bodies have paved the way for the adoption of a new rule which will outlaw the 48-inch driver shaft the big-hitting American has been experimenting with.
It could be rubber-stamped ahead of this year’s Masters.
DeChambeau believes the moves will cement his length advantage off the tee.
“I think it suits me really well,” said DeChambeau.
“I’m still playing the 45-and-a-halfinch driver, it’s suiting and I’m not going to the 48.
“If someone was trying to go to the 48 they could gain six or seven miles an hour pretty quickly and now it’s not a possibility.
“It’s going to be more difficult for people to gain speed easily. They are going to have to work really hard, just like I have.
“My driving ball speed is so high that it’s tough to get to those speeds for anybody else on Tour.
“Whenever you’re trying to shorten the equipment or whatever, the person that can swing it the fastest will always have an advantage.
“It’s flattering, because I did talk about that 48-inch driver for so long. I welcome it as long as they don’t change the human element.
“I’m going to do what they say is legal and find the best way to play for me under the rules.”
With the R&A looking into other club and ball restrictions too, World
No1 Dustin Johnson, right, who will tee it up today along with DeChambeau in the Saudi International, has a different view. He said: “I don’t think
we’re hitting it too far. If they want to do something, we’ll all adjust but I don’t think there’s anything they need to do.”
Rory McIlroy hit out at the golf authorities. He said: “This distance insight report has been a waste of time and money, because that money could have been better distributed to getting people into the game, introducing young kids to the game, introducing minorities to the game. “What they’re trying to do is change something that pertains to 0.1% of the golfing community – 99.9% of people who play this game play for enjoyment.”