Bryson DeChambeau will break new ground this week, literally, when he competes in the International Series India presented by DLF – which marks the first time he has been to India.

It is a much-awaited debut with huge crowds expected at DLF Golf and Country Club and the reigning US Open champion is clearly up for the occasion, hoping the trip makes a huge impact on the game of golf in the world’s most populous country.

“First off I want to say thank you to all of India for welcoming me so warmly,” said the American.

“I think the first time I started talking about it [going to India] was last year and what the possibilities are here in India with the kids.

“The ability for golf as really a young sport but changing from an older sport into a young sport, is to showcase what golf can mean for the future generations of India. That’s always inspired me. My mission in the game of golf is to first off, inspire, entertain, and a subtle part of it is educate as well.”

(L to R), John Catlin, Paul Casey, Bryson DeChambeau and Anirban Lahiri pose with the trophy. Picture by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.

The 31-year-old, who also won the US Open in 2020, is part of a star-studded field here that includes Indian Anirban Lahiri and England’s Paul Casey – who are part of his Crushers GC team on the LIV Golf League.

“Educate, entertain, inspire are my main three principles of why I play the game of golf. I think this is an amazing opportunity for all of golf to come together and see what India can truly produce for the world. And it’s a growing economy, it’s a growing population that need golf. There’s a lot more to come, so that’s why I’m here.”

He took time out from his busy schedule to visit the Taj Mahal yesterday and it had a profound impact on him.

“I felt like there was a lot of love,” he explained.

“I feel like people just respected the place beyond belief. I was fortunate enough to go downstairs and actually see where they’re laid to rest. And it was pretty special. Being down there, it felt… I mean, it was serene and blissful. You look at the backdrop and the colours of the sky and the white marble and the intricacies of how the building was built, how the Taj was built. I can tell you it’s one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I’ve ever seen in my entire life. So, it was amazing. It was a great experience.”

The Californian faces an all together difference piece of architecture tomorrow, when he tees off in the first round at DLF Golf and Country Club – one of the country’s finest courses, that is also one of the longest and toughest.

Bryson DeChambeau pictured during the Pro-Am on Wednesday. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“It’s a diabolical course,” he joked. “There’s a lot going on and I think the person that’s going to do well this week has to see it for what it is, which is a strategic golf course. You have to plot your way around, be very methodical, and you can’t overpower it.

“It’s not something you can overpower, but you’ve got to be very technical about here. So, 16 through 18 is a great stretch of golf. It is gettable. If you hit the right shots into it. I feel pretty comfortable with it. Off all the rust, I think I’ll give it a good go this week.”

He has been paired with Chile’s Joaqium Niemann and John Catlin from the United States for the first two days. Niemann won The International Series Rankings title last year, while Catlin secured the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

The US$2 million tournament is the opening event of the season on The International Series, and the second stop on the Asian Tour, which got underway at last week’s Smart Infinity Philippine Open.