If there is one man that has split golfing opinion in recent years, it is most definitely the PGA Tour’ s very own marmite figure, Bryson DeChambeau.
Like him or not, DeChambeau has no doubt revolutionised the sport, since his remarkable body transformation led to him becoming the starring face of the sport’s new look ‘grip it and rip it’ style.
As well as being known for his power, the 28-year-old has been nicknamed ‘The Mad Scientist’ by some, following his analytical and technical approach to the game.
From a set of single length irons, to a (now illegal) compass on his yardage book, the American has tinkered with the complexities of golf like no one before - no doubt thanks to his college major in physics.
His style of scientific play however is only half of the box office Bryson persona, with the 28-year-old’s often outlandish personality usually making him the most watched man on the PGA Tour.
The Tour announced this month that they would be teaming up with world renowned streaming service Netflix to provide an access all areas docuseries covering the 2022 campaign.
Of course golf fans around the world were more than excited with the news, especially after the successes of Formula 1’s ‘Drive to Survive’ show.
And thanks to his controversies and talent many would expect DeChambeau to fit the bill perfectly as one of the production’s stars.
This surprisingly though will not be the case, after the eight-time PGA Tour winner announced he would not take part in any of the Netflix golf show.
To many traditionalists in the game this might well be seen as good news. It is no secret that the American has developed a bad reputation with some golf fans on Tour, especially during his feud with Brooks Koepka.
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Despite this, no one can deny the American is one of the Tour’s most watchable figures, therefore if he isn’t able to feature on a show documenting golf’s drama, then this is surely a blow for producers.
Golf by many sports fans has often been (wrongly) labelled ‘boring’ and ‘dull’, no doubt down to its slow pace and often complex ruling.
It seems as if the PGA Tour has presented this access all areas production in a bid to show sports fans what golf is really like. Athletes performing at the top level, under the very highest pressure, which like any other sport is box office viewing.
However, one man who is central to that is DeChambeau - and if (or when) he does provide one of his moments of controversy will we be able to see it?
The American’s style and personality could well attract the next generation of golf fans, as he looks to pull away from the more traditional approach to the game - which is often criticised.
And if the idea of the Tour’s new series is to present the sport in a similar light then DeChambeau’s absence is like taking Michael Schofield out of Prison Break or the professor out of Money Heist - Surely it just wouldn’t work?
Of course we all want to see the sport’s in-play action on our screens, but that can be viewed every week at every event.
What golf, and wider sports fans want to see is the drama that unfolds mostly off camera and there is no doubt there is plenty of that, especially when DeChambeau is around.
The American’s battle with Koepka was a key talking point for many, especially when it looked to be spiralling out of control during the latter stages of the 2021 season ahead of the Ryder Cup.
These off-course antics are exactly what viewers will be hoping to catch a glimpse of, however with golf’s most controversial figure missing, the series could well be lacking in this department.
Away from the controversies though, one other aspect that DeChambeau’s no-show status could cause havoc for the production team, is of course missing out on his undoubtable talent.
Contentious or not, the 28-year-old is one of the best players on the planet right now, so if he does go on to win a major, or the FedEx Cup for example (which is a strong possibility) this will of course pose more problems for the series’ coverage.
One detail that had golf fans excited to tune in for was the series’ agreement to cover all four of the season’s majors, the Players Championship and the race for the FedEx Cup title.
Now in the extremely likely event that DeChambeau is competing, or going onto win one of the Tour’s biggest prizes, producers could well be left with a gaping hole in their coverage.
DeChambeau or not - the series is no doubt going to be an exciting one, and it is a pivotal move made by the PGA Tour to try and modernise the sport and grow golf’s fan base.
However with the thrills and spills the American so often provides, it seems his absence could leave a big void when it comes to the final production.
