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ROCHESTER, New York (Reuters) – Bryson DeChambeau ditched his bulked-up look in favour of a slimmer physique and the choice is paying off because the LIV Golf member outperformed the sport’s high gamers to seize the clubhouse lead on the PGA Championship on Thursday.
DeChambeau underwent a outstanding physique transformation in 2020 in a bid to generate extra clubhead velocity and hit golf balls farther than anybody however has determined the additional weight may result in well being points and so determined one other change was so as.
Seems DeChambeau, whose overpowering methods did assist him land the 2020 U.S. Open and for a stretch made him one of many sport’s greatest attracts, was carrying not simply added muscle however water weight as nicely.
Based on DeChambeau, he discovered that he was allergic to issues like corn, wheat, gluten and dairy, and after slicing them out of his weight loss program misplaced 18 kilos in 24 days.
“It was loopy. It wasn’t fats. It was all water weight,” DeChambeau advised reporters at Oak Hill. “You know the way I seemed earlier than. I used to be not skinny.”
DeChambeau made a perfect begin to the 12 months’s second main as he fired a four-under-par 66 that left him within the clubhouse with a one-shot lead over world quantity two Scottie Scheffler and Canada’s Corey Conners.
It might solely be one spherical however it was the sort of efficiency the 29-year-old American has not been capable of string collectively at a serious in fairly a while.
“It has been some time. So good to return again and begin to lastly determine what is going on on with my golf swing,” mentioned DeChambeau, who missed final 12 months’s PGA Championship whereas recovering from hand surgical procedure.
“As I’ve advised you guys earlier than, I’ve struggled with my driving. You see me on the market on the vary. That is one thing I do not need to do. I do not need to be on the market all night time, however I’ve had to determine what I did so nicely in 2018 and what made me so profitable then.
“I really feel like I am catching on and trending that path. Discovered a pair issues this week, and it definitely paid off right now.”
Coming into this week, DeChambeau’s common place after 18 holes of a serious championship was 52nd. When he received the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, he was in a share of 14th after the primary spherical.
There’s nonetheless loads of golf forward however DeChambeau is having fun with his place, feels assured and is most pleasantly shocked that he’s hitting his driver straight after having obtained used to shedding management of it through the years.
DeChambeau’s lengthy street again into main rivalry has been a difficult one and alongside the best way there have been instances the place doubt crept in however he by no means misplaced hope that he would discover his approach to this stage once more.
“I used to be upset. I do not know if hate is the fitting phrase. It was extra simply pissed off and upset, like I’ve achieved this why cannot I simply do it every single day,” mentioned DeChambeau.
“You realize, that is what all of us suppose out right here. Nevertheless it’s positively a sport you may’t conquer.”
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Modifying by Ken Ferris)