Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to injury. Hip and hand injuries forced DeChambeau to pull out of several events in 2022. He hasn't completed 72 holes since the Sentry Tournament of Champions in the first week of January.

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Bryson DeChambeau - © Jacob Gralton via Wikimedia Commons - Creative Commons License

His last PGA TOUR appearance was at the Farmers Insurance Open, where he missed the cut in visible pain. He also withdrew from the Genesis Invitational before the tournament started.

He had hoped to return to Bay Hill to defend the title he won last year in exciting fashion, but confirmed in a video posted to social media on Monday that he cannot play.

“I worked hard on my game and I worked hard on my recovery”, Bryson DeChambeau said in a video posted to social media. “Man, tough decision to make right now. I have a lot of work to do to get everything in order for this week. I just feel like it's too short a time for me to get back to... playing at 100% ability. So far, I'm at 90%. I don't want to go out there and get hurt even more and not be 100% ready for the rest of the season. I don't want to come back early and then have to take more time off, so it's a tough decision to make. »

“I want to thank the Palmer family and all they have done. They have been a great support to me in my career as a professional golfer. Right now I have to take another week off and I will try to come back to participate in THE PLAYERS tournament. Right now I can't risk going out on the pitch and seeing my injury get worse again…It's one of the hardest times of my life…because I'm not able to do much. Although I can hit a few golf balls, it's not comfortable. It's not totally comfortable. »

DeChambeau's drives on the par-5 sixth hole in the final two rounds of last year's Arnold Palmer Invitational went viral as he cut the corner on the winding par-5 sixth hole around a lake, giving him less than 90 yards for his second shot each day. After birdieing the No. 6 in the final round, he finished with 12 straight pars to win over Lee Westwood by one shot.

“The thrill of the drive on No. 6 was one of the highlights… of my career”, said Bryson DeChambeau earlier this year. “The energy from the fans, the positive support I got having fun on that hole was really special to me. »

“Winning the Mr. Palmer Tournament was a huge honor for me because I loved and respected Mr. Palmer for so many years. He was and still is today one of my idols. »

To read our last article on the same subject :

The Match: Koepka VS DeChambeau