Byson DeChambeau’s Caddie Switch Can’t Help Him in Detroit

Everybody knows how important a caddie is to a golfer. They always know the course layout, appropriate clubs and shots, and the good ones, know exactly what their golfer is thinking at all times.

That’s why the news Thursday morning at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, besides the rain, was Bryson DeChambeau parting with his caddie, Tim Tucker. It was a move that I don’t think anyone expected, given overall how well DeChambeau was playing.

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The caddie change didn’t do him much good on Thursday and Friday. DeChambeau shot an even par 72 on Thursday and a one under 71 on Friday to be one under for the tournament, meaning the defending champion will not be around for the weekend to protect his title.

I will shed no tears about DeChambeau struggling. We’ve seen all of his antics on and off the course, his tendencies, how he carries himself just leaves a lot to be desired in my mind.

I think most of us sympathized with Brooks Koepka’s reaction to DeChambeau more or less crashing his interview after his round at the PGA Championship. I, for one, will be on team Brooks 18 times out of 10.

Obviously DeChambeau is supremely talented. He overpowers most courses giving himself an advantage with not needing as much club on approach. Couple that with a quantum physics degree from Southern Methodist University, that gives him another advantage over the field.

I can’t get over his demeanor, he walks like he owns the place all of the time, and believes he should get the benefit of every rule or doubt. Don’t get me started on the fire ants fiasco.

Caddie switch or no caddie switch, Bryson has not played well at all since the 3rd round of the US Open. He had the lead late on Sunday, and the scientist blew up the lab and shot eight over on the back nine to finish T26.

Fast forward to today, he misses the cut at a tournament that he won last year. Needless to say DeChambeau has some work to do and some chemistry to build with his new caddie.

DeChambeau, to no one’s surprise, dodged questions about the change by declining to speak with media about it. We’ll have to wait to see what actually happened or get some sort of explanation.

Bryson DeChambeau will be taking part in The Match, where he’ll be pairing with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers against Phil Mickelson and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Perhaps we’ll learn more about it then.

Bryson will be back in contention sooner rather than later, but for now, I’ll enjoy seeing him get cut.