THAT’S A LONG SHOT, BRYSON

AMERICAN big-hitter Bryson DeChambeau still knows how to shock and awe. A late entry to next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, he claims he’ll have a punt at driving the signature par five 6th hole at Bay Hill that sweeps around a water hazard for the entirety of its 555 yards. Back in September, when he held the sport in thrall, you might even have given him a shot of making the monstrous carry of 350 yards over the lake. Just one problem. With his tee shots barely staying on the right venue let along the right fairway, there’s no need to ‘Bryson-proof’ courses at present. DeChambeau hasn’t been the same since he turned up at the Masters in a blaze of glory in November and declared that par for him was 67, not 72. Five days later he left Augusta complaining of dizziness, beaten by 63-year-old Bernhard Langer after shooting, by his own reckoning, a score of 18 over par. Having missed the cut at Riviera last week, his problems continued at the WGC-Workday Championship on Thursday when he opened with a desperate 77. DeChambeau is philosophical about his driving problems. ‘It’s one of those things that I am swinging so fast we just don’t know what’s happening yet,’ said the 27-year-old, who has added World Long Drive Champion Kyle Berkshire to his team. ‘Once we figure it out, it will be very nice.’ DeChambeau bounced back yesterday with a sublime second round 64 to stand on three under. Defending champion Patrick Reed showed he is in no mood to relinquish his trophy as he moved to eight under to stay close to fellow American Billy Horschel and gritty Australian Cameron Smith, co-leaders on ten under.

Tiger Woods has been transferred from a specialist trauma hospital in Los Angeles to one for continuing orthopaedic care following his car crash. Close friend Notah Begay said: ‘The good news is Tiger has moved out of the critical part in this whole recovery phase.’