SAN FRANCISCO – It had to happen.
So Bryson said DeChambeau after his incredible swing speed and strength to catch his driver on the seventh hole of his opening round at the PGA Championship.
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DeChambeau, who has added 20 pounds of muscle to his body over the past six months and increased his driving distance to record exertion, could only look on in shock after his driver’s shaft broke and his head dropped.
However, since the club wasn’t harmed by anger or abuse, the six-time TOUR winner was able to get a new wave out of his car to make sure he didn’t miss out for the rest of the round.
“While playing the stroke the club was torn to pieces and we have the local rule in place, if that happens the player can replace the club,” said official Brad Gregory.
“As of 2019, this will be a local rule that applies to the championship when a club is severely damaged and breaking it would meet this standard.”
The incident came after DeChambeau went down to 2 after a birdie on the sixth hole and had his driver rip on the short 347-yard seventh. There was a cracking sound on impact, but DeChambeau hadn’t noticed it until he lay down to pick up his tee and his weight saw the shaft crack.
The driver’s head was left alone.
