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As he prepares to fly to the UK for next week’s Open Championship, Bryson DeChambeau has revealed the man who will replace Tim Tucker as his caddie.

His close friend Brian Zeigler. 

Formerly an instructor at DeChambeau’s home course, Dallas National, Ziegler is one of the USA’s most highly-rated young golf instructor. However, he has given up a promising career as a teaching professional to pick up the bag for the 2020 US Open champion.

In an interview with GOLF.com, DeChambeau revealed why he has decided to give the gig to Zeigler.

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“Brian has been a big part of my life for a while now,” said the 27-year-old. “We did a lot of speed training stuff together. He was the motivator and the hype man. He helped me reach new [personal records] I never believed I would get to.”

Zeigler added: “Coming from a teaching perspective to caddying, there’s a lot of crossover between those two things [but] the typical, tiny stuff that [caddies] already know, that’s the stuff I’ll need some time to learn.”

DeChambeau and Zeigler appear to be excited about getting started if a post on the former’s Instagram is anything to go by…

Elsewhere in the interview with GOLF.com, DeChambeau denied that a falling out led to Tucker’s departure. 

The pair split on the eve of DeChambeau’s Rocket Mortgage Classic title defence just under a fortnight ago, leading many to assume that something explosive must have prompted it.

Not so. 

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“The guy helped me win a major and eight other times,” said DeChambeau. “I’ll forever be so grateful for everything he’s done for me and what he’s helped me accomplish. I’ll always have nothing to say but amazing things about Tim.”

Tucker, who is preparing to launch a luxury bus transportation business based out of Bandon Dunes, added: “We were really tired. The tour schedule was grinding on us, grinding on me. I knew I was working on this business on the side. We’ve had a very intense relationship where he works a lot of hours. 

“It was a little bit of me not being 100% healthy and happy… we made the best decision for the both of us.”


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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