Bryson DeChambeau declines Covid vaccine despite having Olympic dream shattered by positive test

Bryson DeChambeau is called “The Scientist“ but that does not mean he follows the officials in the white coats. The American admitted yesterday that he has declined to take the vaccine and remains unsure despite seeing his Olympic dream crushed by contracting coronavirus.

DeChambeau revealed he lost almost a stone and the illness has cost him 5mph of his beloved ball speed. But the 27 year-old is determined to play in the WGC event in Memphis, that starts on Thursday, featuring 48 of the world’s top 50, including countryman Xander Schauffele who won the gold medal in Tokyo on Sunday. And DeChambeau insists he has no regrets.

"The thing is, the vaccine doesn't necessarily prevent it from happening," DeChambeau told reporters at TPC Southwind. "I'm young enough, I'd rather give it [the vaccine] to people who need it. I don't need it. I'm a healthy, young individual that will continue to work on my health.

"I don't think taking the vaccine away from someone who needs it is a good thing. My dad is a perfect example. He got it [the vaccine] early on because he's a diabetic. People like that need to get it. My mom got it. I don't want to take away that ability. Now as time goes on, if it [the vaccine] is mainstream, really, really mainstream, then yeah."

DeChambeau’s generosity of spirit does not exactly chime with the guidance from the Centres for Disease and Control and Prevention, the US federal agency. The CDC has made it clear there is a surplus of vaccines in the country and that there have been 1,564 deaths among males between the ages of 18-29 in the US who tested positive.

Furthermore the PGA Tour has strongly urged its players “to get jabbed as soon as possible” and insiders believe more than 90 per cent of the golfers have listened. But DeChambeau remains unrepentant. "I didn't feel anything for two days,” he said. “ All of a sudden, I started to feel tired. I started getting fully better two or three days ago “