DeChambeau seeks ‘scary combo’ for Classic defence

BRYSON DeChambeau believes he will possess a ‘scary combo’ of distance and accuracy if he can get the latter under control after starting the defence of his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title with an opening 70.

DeChambeau carded a winning total of 24 under par as he cruised to a seven-shot victory last year, but a repeat of such scoring appears unlikely at a venue boasting narrower fairways and thicker rough.

Only 29 players in the 132-strong field at Emirates Golf Club managed to break par, with Belgium’s Thomas Pieters leading the way with a fiveunder-par 67 to hold a one-shot lead over American David Lipsky.

England’s Eddie Pepperell was part of a 12-man group on three under, with

DeChambeau a stroke further back following a round containing four birdies and two bogeys.

“It’s playing at least four shots harder a day (than last year) if it was to stay like this, no doubt,” the world number 17 told Sky Sports. “The fairways are tightened up.

“I’m still working on the driver, it’s a work in progress, but it will be a work in progress until I can get the right stuff in my hands.”

DeChambeau opted to add considerable muscle mass during the off-season in a bid to increase the distance he hits the ball and feels it is a move which will pay significant dividends. “At six I hit it 350 (yards) just into the first cut. I hit it really far, I can do that and now it’s just about controlling it and if I can control it it’s going to be a scary combo,” he said.