The word “bomb” is often associated with Bryson DeChambeau’s prodigious tee shots, but today at the Arnold Palmer Invitational it had a dual meaning, as in addition to his monster pokes with the driver, he made a couple of lengthy putts that proved to be the difference in a one-shot win over Lee Westwood.
DeChambeau drained a 37-footer for birdie at the par-5 fourth hole and a 50-footer for par at the par-4 11th when it appeared almost certain he would drop a shot. For the week, DeChambeau finished the week 20th in strokes gained/putting, picking up nearly three shots on the field.
DeChambeau’s putter is a SIK blade prototype that he recently made an important tweak to. DeChambeau had the hosel changed to be longer and slightly closer to the centre line, giving it approximately 20 degrees less toe hang, which DeChambeau feels makes it more stable. He first put this tweaked putter in play at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera a fortnight ago.
DeChambeau also thrilled the fans at Bay Hill on the weekend by twice cutting off huge chunks of the water on the par-5 sixth, a flash of “go for broke” play Palmer himself could appreciate it. DeChambeau’s driver is a Cobra King Tour LTD that the company first debuted on 2016. DeChambeau led the field in driving distance at 321.3 yards (293.8 metres) and had the longest drive of the week with his 345-metre blast on the sixth hole.
Bombs, indeed.
What Bryson DeChambeau had in the bag at the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational:
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X
Driver: Cobra LTD Pro (LA Golf Axis Blue 60 X), 7.5 degrees
3-wood: Cobra King Prototype B, 10.5 degrees
5-wood: Cobra King Speedzone B, 13.5 degrees
Irons (4-5): Cobra King Prototype Utility; (6-PW): Cobra King Forged Tour One Length
Wedges: Artisan prototype (47, 53, 58 degrees)
Putter: SIK prototype
