The Florida swing is underway as the PGA Tour heads to Orlando to host the Arnold Palmer Invitational (API) at Bay Hill Lodge and Club. One of the most notable tournaments on the regular schedule and a continuing tribute to the man known as “The King,” Arnold Palmer’s namesake events brings together the game’s best on a golf course that’s seen its fair share of dramatic finishes over the years.

Unfortunately we will not see the defending champ Bryson DeChambeau hit any towering drives over the vast ponds in 2022 as he has withdrawn due to a lingering left hand injury.

DeChambeau has missed the past three weeks due to the same left hand and a left hip injury. Those ailments forced him to withdraw from the Asian Tour’s Saudi International on Feb. 4.

Following that early exit, DeChambeau assured everyone that his injuries weren’t related to the intense speed and weight training. This hand injury has been bugging him for the past few months and he fell and injured his hip while in Saudi Arabia.

Rededicated to the PGA Tour

In recent weeks, Bryson DeChambeau joined the chorus of folks declining the opportunity to play in the Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League. Following exclamation marks from Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy as well as Dustin Johnson who pledged his allegiance to the PGA Tour.

“While there has been a lot of speculation surrounding my support for another tour, I want to make it very clear that as long as the best players in the world are playing the PGA Tour, so will I,” DeChambeau said in a statement. “I am focused on getting myself healthy and competing again soon. I appreciate all the support.”

DeChambeau, who was allegedly offered north of $100 million to play in the league, was a bit more delicate with his language than others. Whereas many top players named the PGA Tour specifically as the place they want to play, DeChambeau said his focus was the competition, and if the best happen to be playing on the PGA Tour, that’s where he’ll be. It’s a subtle but important difference as it relates to future movement.

As players gear up their games for the year’s first major, The Masters, keep a close eye on this week’s field to see who’s in form heading into Augusta.