Bryson DeChambeau says he understands criticism of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series over human rights issues. Photo: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Bryson DeChambeau says he understands criticism of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series over human rights issues. Photo: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau has pulled out of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational due to injury.
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The former US Open champion has not played competitively since withdrawing before the second round of the Saudi International in early February, citing wrist and hip problems.
DeChambeau, who held off Lee Westwood to win at Bay Hill last year, said in a video on his Twitter account: “I have a lot of work to do to get everything back into order for this week and I just feel like it’s too short a time for me to get back playing at 100 percent capacity.
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“Right now I’m at 90 percent. I just don’t want to go out there and hurt myself even more and not be 100 per cent ready for the rest of the season. I don’t want to come back early and then have to take more time off.
“It’s a hard decision I have to make right now but I’m going to have to unfortunately not play this week.
“I’m going to try and get back for The Players (Championship) but as of right now I can’t risk it, going out there and having it re-aggravate.”
Following his withdrawal from the Saudi International, Bryson DeChambeau used social media to issue the briefest of denials to a report that he had been offered £100 million to join the proposed Saudi-backed breakaway league.
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Responding to a post about the story on Instagram, DeChambeau simply wrote “Wrong”.
Bryson DeChambeau has turned down Saudi league
Two weeks later the 28-year-old joined Dustin Johnson in pledging his future to the PGA Tour.
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By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
