Bryson DeChambeau feels different, and that’s a good thing.
The two-time major champion is coming off a season in which he won only one LIV event and did not take home a major title. But he’ll enter Sunday at LIV Golf Adelaide tied atop the leaderboard with Jon Rahm, with his game feeling better than it has in years at this early stage of the season.
“I’m seeing stuff that I haven’t seen as early in a year in the past four or five years,” DeChambeau said after Friday’s round. “I’m seeing some great lines and feel comfortable over putts, some testers, comfortable over wedges and comfortable over shots that are really difficult. To be feeling this good early on in the season is a great sign.”
That new feel is the result of an offseason speed-training regimen he started earlier than last year. That change has DeChambeau feeling like his clubhead speed is where it needs to be, although his approach play is lagging.
“A lot of work in the offseason,” DeChambeau said when asked where his confidence in his game is coming from. “I started earlier this year. I started November speed training, so I got that kind of out of my system. Last year, I was prepping and doing some speed training in January. It delayed my speed until the middle of the year and cost me a couple months, so I changed that this year, and it’s implemented some nice changes, and I feel really fast. Almost too fast in a sense sometimes. So my iron play is a little not on point.”
DeChambeau also explained how his offseason training included work with Sportsbox AI. This AI-powered golf training tool takes a phone video and turns it into a 3D swing model with biomechanical measurements. DeChambeau is an ambassador for the company.
“I think it just comes from practicing a little earlier and getting with my coach Dana, and working hard with Sportsbox a lot,” DeChambeau said. “It’s been fun working with Sportsbox. We’re about to unveil something pretty special with AI, so I’m pumped about it. It’ll be incredibly helpful in dire times of need to be even more specific than pretty much any coach out there.”
But as he often does — be it with a new ball, club or plan of attack — DeChambeau alluded to a big change on the horizon — one that will help his approach play with the major season right around the corner.
“I’ve got something coming that I can’t wait to have,” DeChambeau said. “Hopefully I’ll have it for Hong Kong and that three-week stint, and it’ll be something that greatly improves my iron play and wedges. We’ll see. You never know.”
While the 32-year-old awaits his mysterious aid, he has 18 holes left at The Grange in Adelaide to try and outduel Rahm. DeChambeau has been critical of the Saudi-backed league’s change from 54 to 72 holes. That change, however, is the reason DeChambeau will have 18 more holes to distance himself from Rahm instead of having to go to a playoff on Saturday after Rahm poured in a birdie on the final hole to tie him at 19 under.
Which means that, for the moment, DeChambeau is OK with the switch.
“I’m certainly glad there’s 18 more tomorrow,” DeChambeau said. “But it is taxing going another round. But we’ve done it our whole career, and we’re used to it and pretty comfortable with it. I think we’re separating as of now. You never know, somebody could go super deep tomorrow. But I think we’re both playing some great golf right now and giving the fans what they want, and this is what it’s about.”
On Sunday, LIV’s two biggest stars will go head-to-head for a trophy and the Official World Golf Rankings points that now come with it. And then, we’ll await DeChambeau’s big reveal.
