Bryson DeChambeau shows rust after crazy back nine at Texas Open
Bryson DeChambeau is playing golf for the second consecutive week, this after not playing golf since early February as a result of hand and hip injuries. Bryson DeChambeau returned to action last week in Austin at the WGC-Dell Match Play and understandably showed signs of rust as he slumped to a 0-2-1 record and finished bottom of his four-man group.
It later emerged that DeChambeau had hurt his wrist as a result of a table tennis incident. There is little doubt that Bryson DeChambeau will be using this week at the Valero Texas Open to further prepare for next week’s trip to Augusta National.
How healthy he will actually be, come next week, remains to be seen, however. The 2020 U.S. Open winner would have been hopeful of seeing some progress in San Antonio this week, but through one round, at least, that has not been the case. Certainly in terms of tournament-oriented results.
After an opening 73 on Thursday, he is by no means out of this tournament, but he certainly has some ground to make up after Russell Knox produced a stellar opening round 65 for a seven-under-par round. DeChambeau finds himself eight shots adrift of that and at least a couple back of the projected cutline, though it is still early.
Bryson DeChambeau turned in a solid front nine score as he opened up on TPC San Antonio’s back nine holes. He made the turn at even-par after recording a single birdie across the opening nine holes. The second nine was a complete contrast for Bryson however.
Bryson DeChambeau had a crazy back-nine, 37, on Thursday
The run of holes included five bogeys, two birdies, and an eagle on the par 5, 2nd hole. Whatever consistency that Bryson had found early in the round went out the window as he offsetted the potential for a low score with too many mistakes.
DeChambeau lost strokes in every statistical category except putting, he gained 1.22 strokes on the greens on Thursday and one can only wonder what his score might have been if not for the flat stick. Being able to play all four rounds this week would be a real benefit to the 28-year-old, one would think.
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But unless things improve during Friday’s round, that won’t be the case, instead, Bryson would be left with practice rounds at Augusta as he attempts to right the ship before the 2022 Masters next week.