Bryson DeChambeau Takes Aim at PGA Championship

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In an impressive display of power, Bryson DeChambeau took to the tee at Quail Hollow’s 2nd hole on Tuesday afternoon, launching a drive that resonated with spectators. Following heavy thunderstorms, the sun emerged, giving a handful of soaked-shoe spectators a chance to witness DeChambeau’s remarkable swing.

Without making a practice swing, DeChambeau lined up a shot, teed the ball two inches off the ground, and sent it soaring. While he turned away to retrieve his tee, the ball took a sharp left, striking a tree before landing in the rough. From beneath the tree, DeChambeau sought information from a volunteer about how high it hit.

Meanwhile, Russell Henley, 30 yards back on the fairway, observed the exchange. Both golfers’ approach shots fell short of the green, rolling back within inches of each other. This moment sparked a sense of hope that players of varying styles could compete.

Despite the excitement, this week’s PGA Championship has clearly favored long hitters, reinforcing the notion that only the longest players in the field will have the upper hand due to the course’s recent deluge. DeChambeau, known for his distance off the tee, has been a point of conversation among fans and analysts alike.

As spectators watched, DeChambeau exhibited continued dominance, evidenced when he perfectly placed his ball into the fairway on the 3rd hole, while Henley struggled with a drive that veered into the right rough. They both took their next shots as the former hit a mid-iron, finding the green, while Henley had to navigate from the thick grass.

Despite being recognized as one of the top golfers, Henley faced challenges at Quail Hollow, having only placed in the top ten at this championship once. His struggles to keep up with players like DeChambeau, particularly with this course tailored for longer drives, were evident. Speaking on the 5th fairway, he acknowledged the course’s difficulties further exacerbated by recent rains, complicating play.

The Quail Hollow grounds crew worked tirelessly to clear waterlogged fairways, hoping to avoid mud-covered competition rounds this week. With over an inch of rain since play began and more rainfall anticipated, some officials considered the possibility of implementing lift, clean, and place conditions.

As Henley advanced to the uphill 5th hole, DeChambeau patiently awaited, confidently positioned in the fairway. Having previously excelled at Quail Hollow and achieved two top-10 finishes in 2018 and 2021, DeChambeau displayed a relaxed demeanor while practicing his sand shots. Witnesses could sense that by the week’s end, one of them would emerge victoriously.