Bryson DeChambeau says he takes Matthew Fitzpatrick’s comments that his punchy approach takes skill out of the game « as a compliment »
DeChambeau is currently a headshot halfway through the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
But England’s Fitzpatrick, who plays in the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth, says the American « doesn’t care a bit » about the game
« A year ago I didn’t hit him as far as I do today It took a lot of work, a lot of hours to work through the night to figure out a lot
Earlier, Fitzpatrick said of the American: « He only does my opinion I’m sure many won’t agree It’s just silly »
DeChambeau won his first major tournament last month in a dominant fashion, winning by six shots as the only player to finish under par at Winged Foot
The American added over 40 pounds last year in an effort to push the ball further and master the courses
And it worked, he topped the driving distance category on the PGA Tour last year averaging 322 yards, while Fitzpatrick finished 121st with an average of 294
« I feel like I started down a path that gave me an edge over everyone I think it’s a skill when you look at it
« I think it takes a bit more skill to do what I’m doing and that’s why there are only a few people doing it here In fact it’s harder to hit more fairways as I do with today’s rules «
Fitzpatrick says he can’t compete with someone kicking the ball all the way to DeChambeau and that he’s « tired of everyone talking » about the US approach
« I’m going to be biased because I’m not quite the longest, but at Winged Foot – fair play for him he won and shot six cents – the fairways were tight as hell and I drove it brilliantly, actually played pretty well, and I’m way behind, « added Fitzpatrick
« He’s in the rough and miles around and he’s hitting corners all over the place That just makes a bit of a mockery, I think
« I looked at ShotTracker yesterday, some of the places he hit it and when it’s on it it doesn’t help, does it?
« No matter if I play my best, he’s going to be 50 yards in front of me from the tee and the only thing I can compete with is the putting, and that’s just ridiculous »
When asked if he wants the game’s governing bodies to limit the distance traveled by modern equipment, Fitzpatrick added, « I really hope they will. In my opinion, they don’t. is not a skill to hit the ball far
« I could put on 40 pounds I could go see a biomechanic, I could put two more inches on my pilot and I could gain 40 yards But the skill in my opinion is to hit the ball straight »
Scotland’s Martin Laird shares the lead of the Las Vegas event at 14 under par, alongside Americans Brian Harman, Austin Cook, Peter Malnati and Patrick Cantlay
Get the latest golf titles straight to your phone, sign up for our newsletter and find out where to find us online
From hitting a few balls on the course or a quick nine holes, to 18s and full tournaments – how to get started in golf
Bryson DeChambeau, PGA TOUR, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Masters Tournament, Shriners Hospitals for Children open
News from the world – GB – DeChambeau & Fitzpatrick exchange of views
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
