‘Be Like Cheating’: Bryson Dechambeau Was Once ‘Threatened’ by the PGA Tour for Using a Controversial Putting Technique

Ever since coming to power in 1929, the PGA Tour has clearly been successful in managing golfers and the sport of golf. However, with good also comes the bad. Despite having cordial relationships with players, the PGA Tour on occasions has had to take up calls, that in some way or the other, have affected players. An apt example of it is the tour’s ‘threat’ to Bryson DeChambeau.

Ever since he turned pro, DeChambeau has positioned himself as one of the most prominent entities in the game. Having 8 PGA Tour titles, the 28-year-old has successfully grown to take the 4th spot in the World rankings. While he enjoys a cordial relationship with the tour now, that wasn’t the case back in 2017.

Going back in time, in 2017, DeChambeau received a ‘threat’ from the tour concerning the usage of his side saddler putter. The threat not only created a buzz in the golfing world but also prompted then introvert DeChambeau to come up and condemn the tour.

Bryson DeChambeau told to pull back the usage of side saddler putter

Coming in as a winner of the 2015 NCAA Championship and the 2016 Dap Championship, DeChambeau was all set to improve his record further at the 2017 CareerBuilder Challenge. Polishing himself at the putting green for the tournament, DeChambeau received a call from a PGA Tour official. As per reports, the official intimated DeChambeau that the side saddle putter he had been using was deemed non-conforming to the rules of golf.

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The call came in as a shock for DeChambeau, who had been experimenting with side saddling for over three years. He admitted that once he commits enough time to practicing his new technique, it will ‘be like cheating.’

Going by the definition, the side saddling technique has a golfer with a side saddle putter standing next to the ball with face and toes towards the hole.

It was reported that the recently turned pro golfer had submitted several putters for USGA Approval. However, only one putter was deemed non-conforming. “The circumstances surrounding the club’s non-conformance are confidential and between the USGA and Bryson DeChambeau,” USGA responded when questioned about the reason behind the club failing the inspection.

Elaborating further on the call from the official, Mike Schy, DeChambeau’s longtime instructor said, “They basically threatened him that if he showed up on Thursday, they would DQ him.”

DeChambeau responds to PGA Tour’s decision

Being just his second year on the professional tour, DeChambeau positioned himself as an introvert player. However, the call from the PGA Tour official clearly ignited his furious side. Coming out in public, at the 2020 US Open, he said, “I was very disappointed with the way they handled it.”

“They’ve said to me, too, that they don’t like the way I’m doing it. But it’s within the rules, and I don’t know why they don’t like it. They say I’m potentially taking skill out of the game. Anything that helps shoot lower scores or makes golf more fun and grows the game, that’s what I’m all about,” he further added.

After much exchange with the tour, DeChambeau was allowed to play with the concerned putter. However, he was forced to shift the shaft in the rear instead of the center of the club. Hampering the focus, the incident pulled down DeChambeau, who failed to make the cut in the tournament.

What are your thoughts on PGA Tour’s ban on the side saddle put? Do let us know in the comments below.

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