Two-Time PGA champion golfer Bryson DeChambeau answers the media on the eve of the International Series golf at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: Kamesh Srinivasan
There is a certain purity and honesty about the reigning PGA champion, Bryson DeChambeau, that is instantly attractive. It adds more to his stature as a top professional, who drives golf’s popularity around the world.
Even as he was posing along with the trophy on the eve of the $2 million International Series championship at the DLF Golf and Country Club on Wednesday, DeChambeau was particular, “It is fine as long as I don’t touch the trophy”.
A two-time Major champion, he said would touch it only when he wins it. He gave himself as much of a chance as anyone to come good on Sunday.
Despite a dash to the Taj Mahal that floored him for its “serene and blissful” setting, DeChambeau had a good feel of the challenging course.
“You have to be strategic and be methodical. You can’t overpower it. I will give it a good go,” said the 31-year-old DeChambeau.
Heaping praise on Anirban Lahiri, and confessing that he was reason for him to come to India, DeChambeau stressed, “I am here to inspire. I hope it inspires kids.”
He was quite dismissive of the suggestion about the increased number of followers on social media, following his India visit.
“Anirban is an outstanding individual. He genuinely cares for golf and for his country. He wants to do the best for his country. So, when he asked, I didn’t question, even though a lot of people asked me why I was doing it. He stands for something each and every day,” said DeChambeau.
He was emphatic that it was a “great opportunity to grow golf in India,” especially in a vibrant economy.
He said that his goal was to “inspire, entertain” and in the process “educate” and “popularise” the game among the young.
Dissecting his game, DeChambeau said that he gained confidence from his ability to have “repeatable motion”, and to achieve that he trained “very hard” on every aspect of his game.
“My mental game is dependent on how repeatable I am physically,” he said.
Pointing out that he practised speed control on his swing, he said, “I make sure my full swing is good.”
Quite thrilled about buying a piece of marble at the Taj Mahal and feeling cool about having “a piece of culture and history,” DeChambeau promised to play his best golf.
Published – January 29, 2025 05:43 pm IST
