Bryson DeChambeau On Covid-19 Vaccine: "I Don’t Need It"

The World No.7 doesn't plan on getting the Covid-19 vaccine any time soon, despite a recent positive test

Bryson DeChambeau On Covid-19 Vaccine
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The World No.7 doesn't plan on getting the Covid-19 vaccine any time soon, despite a recent positive test

Bryson DeChambeau returns to competitive action this week at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational after missing out on the Olympics due to a positive Covid-19 test.

Bryson says he lost 10lbs with Covid and has also lost around 5mph swing speed with his driver.

The Golfing Scientist experienced congestion, fatigue and coughing spurts after testing positive and revealed that he hasn't had the vaccine yet and doesn't plan to any time soon.

“The thing is, the vaccine doesn’t necessarily prevent it from happening," the 2020 US Open champion told Golf Channel.

"That’s where for me, I’m young enough, I’d rather give it to people that need it.

"I don’t need it. I’m healthy. I’m a young individual that will continue to be healthy and continue to work on my health.

"But I don’t think that taking a vaccine away from someone that could need it is a good thing.”

Mass pre-tournament testing for Covid-19 has now stopped on the PGA Tour as of the 3M Open last month

On-site testing is still available at tournaments if players have symptoms, and the PGA Tour says it may still conduct periodic testing.

DeChambeau also spoke about missing Tokyo 2020, where he was replaced by Patrick Reed for Team USA.

“I didn’t feel anything because I wasn’t playing in it. It didn’t matter. It was sad when I tested positive," he said.

"And then after that, my brain just shifted into a place where, okay, I wasn’t in the Olympics. It is what it is.”

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV