ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Bryson DeChambeau withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational Monday and said he didn’t want to risk any further hand and hip injuries because he wasn’t fully prepared to defend his title at Bay Hill.
DeChambeau has not competed since exiting after the first round of the Saudi International on February 3. He missed the cut at Torrey Pines last week.
“Man, tough decision right now,” DeChambeau said in an Instagram post. “I have a lot to do to get things back on track this week. I just feel like it’s too short to go back 100%. Right now I’m at 90%. I just don’t want to go out there and hurt myself more and not be 100% for the rest of the season.”
DeChambeau said he will try to be ready for The Players Championship next week. He said he could hit golf balls in a simulator but it wasn’t “comfortable”.
“It’s just not ready yet,” he said.
He’s dealing with a bruised bone in his left hand. And he said he injured his hip when he slipped and fell in Saudi Arabia.
DeChambeau had held talks with Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Golf Investments about a planned rival league. After Dustin Johnson declared his support of the PGA Tour a week ago, DeChambeau said he wants to compete against the best players, and as long as they’re on the PGA Tour, he’ll be there.
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