Scotland’s David Drysdale had realised five years ago close-hand the excitement that big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau is now bringing to the ancient club-and-ball game.
Drysdale was drawn to play alongside the then 22-year-old visiting American and England’s Chris Paisley for the opening two rounds of the 2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
DeChambeau had joined then reigning Masters and US Open champ, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler, and the eventual winner, accepting invitations to tee-up in the Abu Dhabi capital.
DeChambeau was the reigning US Amateur champion and still some three months shy of turning professional after his T21st place finish at the Masters.
He went out onto the National course in Abu Dhabi, and after a third hole bogey, DeChambeau went to lead the first round with an eagle and seven birdies in a blistering 64.
Bryson DeChambeau shoots a 64 to lead, as the reigning US Amateur champion, the first round of the 2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Drysdale, who signed for a 71, was blown away by what he’d witnessed.
He said: “Even back five years ago, Bryson had a completely different way of playing the game with the same-length clubs and his upright posture.
“The first day he shot eight-under and looked like a potential World Number One – it was awesome to watch, and he wasn’t short then off the tee. He’s hitting it miles now.
“The next day he hit it all over the place shooting 72. He looked completely different over the two days. He was a nice guy to play with, I saw him in the Middle East last year then the start of this year in Saudi, he’s literally twice the size he was four or five years ago.”
DeChambeau eventually finished well down the board and just outside the top-50 but then returned to the Middle East to capture the 2019 Dubai Desert Classic.
David Drysdale played the opening two rounds of the 2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in the company of then 22-year old amateur Bryson DeChambeau
Earlier this year, the now reigning US Open champion again teed-up in the Saudi International and Drysdale was among those who walked the Pro-Am following DeChambeau.
Dyrsdale said: “I wanted to see how different he was playing, so I walked the back nine in Saudi when he was playing the Pro-Am.
“He got to the 12th hole and it’s a 450-yard par four and there’s a bunker on the right side, lying about 300 yards to reach and 325-yards to clear.
“I hit two 3-woods and had 80 yards to the front of the green.
“Byrson was 30 yards past the bunker also using a 3-wood off the tee.
“It’s a completely different game for him.
“I’ve played with Rory, and there’s a lot of guys who hit it a long way but he just seems to have moved the needle on the distance debate.
“I saw a lot on social media of him hitting the tee shot on six at the Arnold Palmer and taking lines that are 370-yards carry over water, that’s doing me in the air by 90 yards”.
Drysdale, who turns 46 on March 19th , was asked his reaction to Lee Westwood’s, and turned 48 next month, efforts last Sunday in going head-to-head with DeChambeau and also thoughts on whether DeChambeau will be able to sustain his winning efforts at the same age as Westwood and Drysdale.
Drysdale said: “Lee Westwood has been brilliant for the last 25 years. He’s made 10 Ryder Cup appearances and I’m sure he’ll make an 11th this year.
“He’s incredible consistency to be in the top-50 for as long as he’s been. He’s not all that far off 48. It’s nice to see if you keep fit and injury free, which I haven’t the last couple of years, but I’ve been working hard on that, there might be a few more years in me yet.
“With regards to DeChambeau? I saw him hit drivers on the range in the Middle East and you might be concerned for his footwork and his ankles. I don’t know how long he can keep that up.”
Drysdale returns to Qatar among a big contingent of a dozen Scots and also 12 months on from his dramatic five-hole play-off battle for a maiden Tour title in his then 498th European Tour event.
