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Bryson DeChambeau apologizes for USGA criticism

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Bryson DeChambeau is backing off his harsh words for the USGA following a severe indictment of the organization.

Golf Digest’s Brian Wacker caught DeChambeau after his second round at the Honda Classic. He told the scribe, “The USGA essentially doesn’t like me doing it [putting side-saddle]. I’m pretty much done with it.”

That remark was likely better received in Far Hills than what DeChambeau went on to say about the USGA.

“They’re not a good organization, and you can quote me on that. I’m part of their family [as a winner of the U.S. Amateur] and as family it’s very frustrating to see them stunt the growth of the game.”

Two days later (and probably to the surprise of very few) DeChambeau apologized via his social media channels, posting this Notepad missive.

bryson-dechambeau-usga-apology

While DeChambeau said late last year that the side-saddle stroke would be so effective it’d be “like cheating,” it never really panned out for the SMU alum. In his last five starts, he’s missed the cut four times and withdrawn once. He’s currently 194th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: putting (-.653).

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35 Comments

35 Comments

  1. JThunder

    Mar 1, 2017 at 2:57 am

    No one sees the hypocrisy in saying “DeChambeau should own what he says” while posting under aliases. Too funny. When media follows you around 24/7 just waiting for something they can hype and sensationalize, you can comment. Sure, these guys make a lot of money when they win, but being under that microscope all the time isn’t fun. He said something in the heat of a moment, then he apologized. I suppose none of you have done that?

    As for the USGA, their job isn’t easy either. On the one hand, you have pressure from the capitalist golf OEMs wanting to make a fortune peddling new tech. On the other you have Jack Nicklaus and co, traditionalists, course owners and architects, wanting to preserve the status quo, especially for distance, not to mention their own records and Bobby Jones’. Half the amateurs bitch the game is too hard, the other half (maybe less, but vocal) bitch about losing tradition. And like any governing body, the resulting compromises just yield more complaints.

    Hopefully we all scrutinize our own behavior and work the way we do that of others.

  2. King of Carlsbad

    Feb 28, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    Why can’t he just putt like a normal human being? Is it that hard?

  3. Tyson Rochambeau

    Feb 28, 2017 at 10:50 am

    This guy needs to be more worried about making a cut. Speaking of cuts, does anyone know if the cut on his hand healed from hitting too many balls? I’m sure he was in pain; what a horrible problem to have.

    • SlapHappy

      Mar 1, 2017 at 1:43 am

      Yeah the cut was so bad he had to withdraw…… but it healed so quickly in two days he was able to show up to the next tournament and kiss everybody’s butts

  4. StillBoard

    Feb 28, 2017 at 10:20 am

    Another undeserved apology

  5. Fat Perez

    Feb 27, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    And I will never putt illegally like anchor broom handlers Bernie Langaaa and Scott McCarron!! Are you kiddn’ me!! You’re telling those clowns are not anchored to their chest plate?! Please, it’s so obvious from any angle. The creases in their shirts during the stroke are a dead giveaway. No way what they’re doing would be allowed on the PGA Tour! The Tour would have a camera on these guys from every imaginable angle you could think of. Enforcement, if at all, is totally selective.

  6. Jack Nash

    Feb 27, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    Always kills me why some of these guys always have to,”clarify”, “walk back”, “reconsider” some of their statements. It’s like they’re not able to voice their opinion because they somehow feel they’re getting cut out of a Will. Bryson voiced an opinion. No matter what you think of it, it’s his opinion. Nobody got hurt, he made his case, so move on. Look how many years the governing bodies took to outlaw the anchored putter, when it should have been done years ago. Is there an advantage to side saddle? Maybe, but somehow I doubt it. You could say the new style of studying putts ala Adam Scott could actually testing your lie. Bryson mad an honest evaluation. No biggie to me.

    • SlapHappy

      Feb 28, 2017 at 2:26 am

      Because he nor his agent don’t want to lose any future sponsors or sponsors exemptions, for being a hateful child.
      There may be an advantage to side-saddle, if you use the kind of putter that Dechambeau used, which is not conforming to the rules, due to the wrong placement of the shaft on the head, which rule had been set a long time ago, to make sure violations like this would not happen (and thus, how stupid does Dechambeau look, not considering that the rules had been examined from the science perspective long ago, especially considering he had claimed to be a scientist out to make the game easier and more fun to play), because it took some skill out of the stroke.

  7. 3 metal stinger

    Feb 27, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    This kid has ensured that I will never purchase a Cobra/Puma product

  8. Barry

    Feb 27, 2017 at 11:06 am

    Don’t apologize for criticizing the organization (USGA) that has ruined pro golf!

    Dave Fay, Mike Davis, Tom Otoole and company should be ashamed!

    • Tom

      Feb 27, 2017 at 11:23 am

      I don’t find myself at odds with the USGA often but; lately they have drawn fire from the golf community at large. Bryson didn’t say anything that many of us haven’t said about [prior rulings from the USGA. i. e. putter length & driver C.O.R. I find it ironic he is being criticized for something many of us say.

      • Feb 27, 2017 at 11:43 am

        What the heck has the length of the putter got to do with anything. That was never an equipment rule in that instance, you just can’t anchor any longer. The COR rule has been changed this year, they now only measure drivers with CT. So what are you complaining about?

        • Tom

          Feb 27, 2017 at 4:42 pm

          Fu , I’m goin off what has been discussed on this site about equipment and USGA regs. and how it applies to recreational golfers.

          • SlapHappy

            Feb 28, 2017 at 2:35 am

            We’re not talking about recreational golfers. We are taking about Professionals and other qualified Amateurs who all want to and must play by the rules, without which there will be no competition. You want to just play slaphappy type game, you go ahead and do that, nobody is stopping you from cheating or being nice to each other amongst your peers for letting the rules go by. But this is a gentleman’s game, whereby the best of the world call penalties on themselves and also accept the rules thrown at them if called on. That’s just how this game is played, Gentlemen, and if you don’t want to be at the level, then by all means, go play by your rules, nobody is stopping you. All we want is that we ask you that you replace all divots, repair ball marks and rake the bunkers nicely because there may be proper players behind you that will be playing by the Rules.

            • Tom

              Mar 1, 2017 at 12:09 am

              I don’t disagree with the ruling on the shaft of this design. My thought center on the USGA and the heavy handedness applied by the organization. At points in time it seems they are over bearing and in areas were perhaps diplomacy would prevail.

  9. Steve S

    Feb 27, 2017 at 11:03 am

    Should have never made the retraction. It’s what you really feel, right? Then don’t apologize, own it and move on. Yeah, you’ll catch more heat but that’s what happens when you’re adult. You are not a kid, anymore.

  10. CCTxGolf

    Feb 27, 2017 at 9:23 am

    I bet all of his sponsors are regretting making him one of their big spokespeople. The Microsoft commercial is obnoxious. Most of these commercials bill him as this great PGA superstar who has been successful with his odd approach to the game. He has not.

  11. Patricknorm

    Feb 27, 2017 at 6:52 am

    When you blame the media for your own words, that to me is reckless. His disparagement of the USGA , an excuse he uses to justify his poor play , tells me that emotionally, he’s not ready for prime time. No one expects perfection from Bryson , just honesty and some one willing to take ownership of his words and actions. He apparently took a swipe at the media ( “I was stopped by the media at a bad time”) for his derogatory comments towards the USGA. Time for Bryson to man up and accept his weaknesses. This entitled millenial needs to mature , quickly.

  12. Rich

    Feb 26, 2017 at 10:00 pm

    I believe he thought he was bigger than the game WRONG!

  13. S Hitter

    Feb 26, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    Disingenuous focker

  14. dg7936

    Feb 26, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    Too bad he retracted; the USGA is truly screwed up. They piss their time away on small issues but have let the equipment manufacturers destroy the integrity of the game. They are bullies, plain and simple.

    • S Hitter

      Feb 27, 2017 at 3:08 am

      You don’t have to play golf if you don’t want to. We won’t miss you

      • Jay

        Feb 27, 2017 at 3:31 pm

        I think you have it the other way around – golfers wont miss the USGA. What percent of golfers do you actually think play by all USGA rules – 1%, maybe 5%?? Seems the game could do just fine w/o them.

        • Tom

          Feb 28, 2017 at 3:26 pm

          especially the past couple of opens…what a cluster!

      • IHateLoveGolf

        Feb 28, 2017 at 10:20 pm

        Who’s the ‘we’? I don’t have a problem with what he said.

    • Barry

      Feb 27, 2017 at 11:08 am

      Totally agree! They were too busy figuring out which model jet to lease

    • Tom

      Mar 1, 2017 at 10:33 am

      The recent article on this site is good news. The USGA appears to be coming around.

  15. belacyrf

    Feb 26, 2017 at 7:53 pm

    How much do you think Puma is regretting that investment ?

  16. Tom

    Feb 26, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    good follow up Bryson

  17. DeShampoo

    Feb 26, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    You said it. Own it, or don’t say it in the first place…

  18. Matt

    Feb 26, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    He’s becoming a sideshow

  19. DJ

    Feb 26, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    He’d probably be better if he was just a dummy.

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Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters

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Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.

The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.

LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title

The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.

Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.

Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.

Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.

PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!

Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.

Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.

Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph

If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.

The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.

Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes

Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!

Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.

The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.

PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way

Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.

Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.

PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall

What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.

David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.

Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.

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Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

  • “I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.
  • “It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”
Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

  • “Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”
Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

  • “Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”
Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

  • “I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”
Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

  • “Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”
  • “I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.
  • “I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”
Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

  • Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!
Full piece.
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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

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GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.

We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.

Check out links to all our photos, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

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