Bryson DeChambeau says rumor false; Genesis absence due to health

The highest-ranked player not teeing it up at Riviera this week? That would be Bryson DeChambeau.

The world No. 12 did not commit to the Genesis Invitational, which will feature 19 of the top 25 players in the Official World Golf Ranking (and every top-10 player), and on Monday afternoon he explained why – and it has everything to do with his health, the golfer said, and not a recent rumor that he’s no longer playing PGA Tour events.

“I am very disappointed to miss the @thegenesisinv this week at one of my favorite golf courses on tour,” DeChambeau wrote on his social-media accounts. “I am currently in the process of rehabbing a hip and hand injury, which I am making positive progress on day by day.”

DeChambeau withdrew from the Asian Tour’s Saudi International prior to the second round two weeks ago in Saudi Arabia, citing injuries to his left hip and left hand. He later added on Instagram that he hurt himself after falling on Tuesday of tournament week, and that “everyone needs to chill.”

However, DeChambeau pulled out of the Sony Open a few weeks prior with left wrist soreness and was seen at the Farmers Insurance Open, the week before the Saudi event, clutching his lower back. He declined to comment on the latter.

In Monday’s post, DeChambeau claimed that “there are many false reports going around by the media that are completely inaccurate,” but he didn’t specifically say which ones. In the most recent No Laying Up podcast, it was reported that, “In Saudi, [DeChambeau] said he is no longer playing on the PGA Tour. He told players that. That’s what he said.”

The podcast added, “I don’t think all of the decisions have been made, so you can’t, like, report on anything like that. But the information as I know it from very reputable sources that’s where things stand as of now.”

DeChambeau’s agent, Brett Falkoff, told Golf.com that the rumor was, “absolutely false. It’s baseless speculation and completely untrue.”

“Any news regarding my health or playing schedule will come directly from me and my team only,” DeChambeau continued to write. “This is just another inaccurate report. I look forward to getting healthy and seeing everyone soon!”