Bryson DeChambeau is back on the long-drive circuit. You may remember DeChambeau dabbled in it around this time last year, but he’s been a little more quiet, at least publicly, on the long-drive front recently.
Now he’s back — and he almost pulled off a huge upset. DeChambeau returned for a Professional Long Drivers Association World Championship in Mesquite, Nev., and the 2020 U.S. Open champion finished second among 128 competitors on Saturday.
Germany’s Martin Borgmeier was the winner, taking down DeChambeau head-to-head in the final with a long drive of 426 yards. DeChambeau’s longest drive in the final was 406 yards.
It was still an impressive performance from DeChambeau, who made it through all the preliminary rounds to reach the final. It was a tense final minute, too, as both competitors were trying to get the most out of their final swings.
DeChambeau, whose longest drive was 406 yards, had one swing remaining to beat Borgmeier’s 416, but Borgmeier did one better with his last, reaching 426.
Skip to 2:15 in the video below to see the final drives unfold.
“I would not be here, none of us would be here with the improvements in technology, if one guy wouldn’t have come in a year ago to make the sport what it is right now,” Borgmeier said. “And I think he’s on a very good track to come back. And that guy is Bryson DeChambeau.”
DeChambeau also lasted longer than two-time defending champion Kyle Berkshire, who is still recovering from hand surgery a few weeks ago.