Bryson DeChambeau prefers a physics approach to golf

Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and TV’s fictional Sheldon Cooper — all renown physicists.

Then there’s Bryson DeChambeau, the PGA Tour’s resident expert on all things scientific, who’s playing this week’s AT&T Byron Nelson Championship on a sponsor’s exemption.

DeChambeau, 22, turned pro after his junior year at SMU, where he majored in physics, the branch of science that focuses on matter — golf clubs and balls in this case — and energy — the players using those clubs and balls.

“It’s been more of an interesting journey than I have ever expected,” said DeChambeau, “especially with working with manufacturers and a couple of different companies.”

Currently those gray-matter endeavors include an app that measures grip pressure during the putting stroke, and testing some new shafts. Golfers use longer clubs for greater distances, but the shaft on DeChambeau’s irons are all 37  1/2 inches long, which is standard for a 6-iron.

DeChambeau talks the language of manufacturers and programmers. Golfers that studied marketing or business might say a club isn’t going high enough or low enough.

“I can say ‘The dynamic loft isn’t enough,’ ” said DeCahmbeau, who uses a very upright stance and has a very flat or single-plane swing. “It’s easier for them to understand and be more specific with them in those regards.”

Asked one physics question Tuesday, DeChambeau needed 2 minutes, 30 seconds and 433 words to give an answer.

“There’s things we don’t necessarily know because robots cannot perfectly test nor understand what a human is doing through a three-dimensional stroke pattern for a golfer like myself,” he added. “A machine can’t do that.”

The Nelson, and next week’s Dean & Deluca Invitational in Fort Worth, represent just a handful of tournaments left for DeChambeau to get his PGA Tour card through sponsors exemptions. He must finish high enough in earnings or FedEx Cup points to earn full Tour membership.

“For them to give me an exemption is definitely — could be a world changer for me, you know,” DeChambeau said. “So this week could be the week that changes my life.”

A week after finishing as low amateur at The Masters in April, DeChambeau finished tied for fourth in his professional debut at the RBC Heritage. But missed cuts at the Valero Texas Open and Wells Fargo Championship followed.

“I don’t think about it anymore,” DeChambeau said when asked about remaining exemptions. “I did when I initially had it. I know I had nine starts out of 10, I think that I could have potentially, with three invitations and seven sponsors exemptions. Now every tournament that I get is an honor and opportunity to do my best.”

As a visitor to the Nelson during his time at SMU, DeChambeau envisioned himself as a Tour player on the course.

“Couple years ago I knew I could get out here, I knew that was definitely a possibility,” he said. “But now to see myself actually out here playing with these guys and practicing and being here, it’s a nice feeling, sweet feeling.”

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 8:27 PM with the headline "Bryson DeChambeau prefers a physics approach to golf."