Golf
Bryson DeChambeau Gained 20 Pounds in Quarantine and Became the Longest Driver in PGA Tour History
Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies. When Jack isn't writing about sports, he's watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He's also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.
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Bryson DeChambeau has always been an analytics enthusiast. His approach to golf is more scientific than anything, and his unique strategies have led to multiple wins and great early success on the PGA Tour. DeChambeau’s newest change is more straightforward than most. More muscle = more power. At least, that’s what DeChambeau figured when he gained 20 pounds during the Tour’s three-month hiatus. He was right, too. Beefed-up Bryson is on pace to break the PGA Tour’s record for driving distance in 2020.
Bryson DeChambeau gained 20 pounds in quarantine
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Over the last three months, professional athletes were forced into quarantine in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and everyone spent their time differently. Some just relaxed and spent time with their families. Some picked up new skills and talents, and some even became viral TikTok stars.
DeChambeau went a different route with his time away from sports. While the rest of the PGA Tour was relaxing or practicing leisurely, DeChambeau was hitting the gym. In three months DeChambeau added at least 20 pounds of muscle.
The 26-year-old also recently revealed the diet that helps him maintain his massive figure. He said he consumes six or seven protein shakes each day, including two or three on the course.
DeChambeau’s body transformation has made him the longest driver on the PGA Tour.
DeChambeau is on pace to become the longest driver in PGA Tour history
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Weight isn’t the only thing DeChambeau added during the quarantine. The pro golfer also added distance — and a lot of it. Last season, DeChambeau ranked 34th on Tour with an average of 302.5 yards per drive. Through the Charles Schwab Challenge this season, he was up to 323.8.
The most prolific driving season in Tour history came from Hank Kuehne in 2003. Kuehne finished the season with a 321.4 average, but DeChambeau has a chance to overtake him for the longest-driving season in golf history. DeChambeau’s longest drive of 2020 traveled 428 yards.
DeChambeau is making par-5s look like par-4s this season. Just this weekend he hit a drive that carried 343 yards in the air on a 571-yard hole. While most players were laying up or hitting 3-woods into the massive hole, DeChambeau hit a 9-iron to the green and made eagle.
Golf is largely a game of finesse, but DeChambeau is making it a game of overwhelming power in 2020.
DeChambeau’s beefed-up look has him playing the best golf of his life
DeChambeau isn’t just putting on a show with the driver since the restart. He’s playing better and more consistent golf than anyone on Tour right now, and it’s only a matter of time until he breaks through for another win.
He’s placed inside the top 10 in six straight tournaments dating back to February. Since the restart, he has a T3, a T8, and a T6 in three starts. DeChambeau also sits in second place at the Rocket Mortgage Challenge heading into Sunday.
If he doesn’t pull through for a win this weekend, he will soon. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see beefed-up Bryson power his way to his first career major this season.
All stats courtesy of PGA Tour
