'I Probably Shouldn’t Have Changed The Heads' - Bryson DeChambeau Reveals Reason For Driver Head Swap Prior To US Open Win

The big-hitting American was seen swapping driver heads before his final round at the US Open, with the reasoning, at the time, unclear. Now, DeChambeau has explained why...

Bryson DeChambeau strikes a tee shot with a driver
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Bryson DeChambeau's victory at the US Open will live long in the memory, as the American capitalized on late mistakes from Rory McIlroy to pick up a second Major scalp at Pinehurst No.2.

However, it all could have been so much different for DeChambeau, who was seen changing his driver head on the practice range prior to his final round on Sunday, with the 30-year-old now explaining the reason for it...

Asked about the change, DeChambeau stated: "I probably shouldn’t have changed the heads. I was trying to get a fresh head in there. It had a good curvature on the face, but it was a little bit lower loft. For whatever reason, those lower lofted heads have been missing right. Consequently I missed it right all day. 

"A bit frustrating, but the face that I was using for the past three days was just starting to get flat. It was a nine-and-a-half-inch curvature. I won’t go over that. Essentially the face was starting to get a little flat. I wanted to get a fresh head in. 

"I was driving it well on the range. On the golf course nerves got to me a little bit. I wasn’t as comfortable with it. Probably needed to work it in more, more than just hitting five balls with it".

Bryson DeChambeau at the top of his backswing

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The model in question is the Krank Formula Fire LD Driver, a club that DeChambeau put into play midway through 2023 to much success, including firing a 58 at LIV Golf Greenbrier, and this week's US Open victory.

For those who haven't heard of Krank, they made their name in the World Long Drive ranks, securing multiple championships along the way. Regarding DeChambeau's driver, it has six degrees of loft and a LA Golf BAD Prototype shaft that measures around the 45-inches mark. The “LD” designation in the name stands for “long drive,” and is designed for those who have a ball speed of over 175 mph.

During the first three rounds at Pinehurst No.2, DeChambeau had hit 86%, 50% and 57% of his fairways but, for the final day, he only hit 5 of 14, translating to just 36%. Thankfully, for DeChambeau, he was able to hit 61% of his greens on Sunday with his unique irons, with the American ranked 10th in the putting statistics, averaging 1.72.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x