Rahm expects equipment changes if DeChambeau 'overpowers' Augusta
Newly minted world No. 1 Jon Rahm is in awe of Bryson DeChambeau's incredible distance off the tee, but he believes it could cause major championship venues like Augusta National to implement changes to players' equipment.
"I'm surprised they haven't done that already, I'm not going to lie," Rahm told the "Dan Patrick Show" on Tuesday when asked if the prestigious course's governing body should force players to use balls that don't travel as far.
"Jack (Nickalus) has been talking about it for a while, I think Tiger (Woods) has mentioned it as well. And when you have the two greatest legends in this game mention it ... I'm sure they've listened.
"I believe if Bryson comes in in November and overpowers the golf course, they'll definitely take measures."
DeChambeau leads the PGA Tour with an average distance of 328.8 yards off the tee this season. That power has proven to be a major advantage for the world's seventh-ranked player and has sparked plenty of debate regarding equipment regulations.
Though some believe DeChambeau's incredible distance harms the integrity of the sport, Rahm praised his fellow pro's ability to maintain his accuracy on lengthy drives.
"He's onto something, and what he's done is impressive," Rahm said. He added: "To have it under control like he does, it's really impressive. It's truly a feat of athleticism and technique that not many of us thought was possible. But he's taken the game of golf to the next level."
Rahm also said there are other ways to limit golfers' power without forcing them to use different equipment.
"Golf is more than just hitting it far, and I think this past week Jack proved it," he said. "You can make golf courses so difficult or set them up in a way that it neutralizes distance. It's as simple as that."
Rahm won the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club - which Nicklaus designed - at 9-under this past weekend. The thick rough and firm greens proved to be quite a test for the field, as only nine players finished the tournament under par.