Winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational the way Bryson DeChambeau did over the weekend certainly epitomized Palmer’s famous quote that you have to “play boldly to win”.
Fans went wild at DeChambaeu’s gung-ho heroics and theatrics at Bay Hill’s sixth hole where he took a direct line over water on the semicircular par-five on Saturday and Sunday, leaving himself just a pitch and two-putt away for birdie both times. That proved crucial as he hung on for a one-shot win over evergreen Englishman Lee Westwood.
For DeChambeau, however, the adrenaline rush after blasting 370-yard plus drives paled in comparison to the emotions that enveloped him – and drew a tear or two – after winning Palmer’s tournament for his eighth PGA Tour title. B.A.D., as his initials spell, first met ‘The King’, as Palmer is known, at Bay Hill in 2015 while still an amateur as part of that year’s US Walker Cup team.
“When I came here first as an amateur I walked up into his office and he was there. We had a picture together and I was certainly excited to meet him for the first time, not knowing he would leave a lasting impression on me that would last the rest of my life,” recalled DeChambeau.
“When he signed the book, he said make it legible, and when he said that, that stuck to me and I’ve done it ever since. He’s had an influence on
me for the longest time and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. He’s somebody that I look up to and will continue looking up to,” added the 27-year-old.
Palmer passed away in September 2016 and DeChambeau noted that he took a lot from the conversations they had about the game they both loved – and played with the same aggressive approach.
“I have a lot of fond memories of talking with him about how he played golf, why he played golf and why he loved it so much. Really just all
those memories flooding in at that moment of winning his event, wishing that he was here still. I know he’s smiling down on me today and how I played, played boldly.
“Just everything that he’s done for the game of golf and how he handled himself is something that I will try and do for the rest of my life. That’s something special. How he moved the crowds, how he made them a part of his life was pretty special. I feel like that’s something that I
want to do and it’s inspirational to me,” shared DeChambeau.
Fittingly, DeChambeau’s apparel, accessories and footwear were from Puma Golf’s 2021 Arnold Palmer and Spring Summer collections.
What’s In DeChambeau’s Bag
Driver: Cobra LTD Pro (7.5°) with LAGP Axis Blue 60X 45.75” shaft
Fairways: Cobra King Prototype B 3-wood (10.5°) with LAGP BAD Prototype 70x 43” shaft / Cobra King Speedzone Tour 3-wood (13.5°) with LAGP BAD Prototype 80x 41” shaft
Irons: Cobra King Prototype Utility Irons (4, 5) with LAGP Graphite Rebar Proto Shaft 37.5” shafts / Cobra King Forged Tour One Length (6-9, P) with LAGP Graphite Rebar Proto shaft 37.5″ shafts
Wedges: Artisan Prototype (50°@47°, 55°@52°, 60°@58°) with LA Golf Rebar Prototype shafts
Putter: SIK Pro C-Series Armlock
Ball: Bridgestone Tour BX
Shoes: Puma Ignite PWRADAPT Caged
