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In 1997 Tiger Woods shook up the world of golf when he won the Masters by 12 shots. In 2000 and 2001, Woods won the “Tiger Slam” by capturing the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open, and the PGA and becoming the only golfer to hold all four titles at once. Woods’ golf game from 2000 to 2005 was undoubtedly the greatest stretch of golf the world has ever seen. Woods mastery unnerved his competitors but all of them knew they had to up their game to compete. Woods was athletic and stayed in top condition. His fellow pros worked to emulate Woods athleticism and conditioning. Woods still has had a great career but some of his golfing peers began to catch up, at least when they were playing their best golf.

Bryson DeChambeau’s startling performance yesterday at the Rocket Mortgage Classic surely sent a message to his fellow golf professionals not unlike Tiger Woods in his prime. Golf has long had a long driving competition. Those competing in these events were often large men who took mighty swings and could hit a golf ball 400 yards. You never say any of these golfers competing on the PGA tour. The long drivers, while great talents, could hit the ball a ton but they lacked the distance control of their irons and the putting and chipping regimen to compete at golf at its highest level.

DeChambeau, apparently, has figured out how to make the connection between untrammeled, raw power and a deft putting and chipping touch. He added muscle, drinks numerous protein shakes a day, and seems to have the diet of a Sumo wrestler. Yet, he has unveiled club lengths and swinging and putting techniques that still allow him to control his touch at a high level of confidence. Occasionally, during the Rocket Mortgage tournament, DeChambeau had trouble with distance control of his irons and a shot soared over the green. But, for the most part, he had it dialed in. Also, he sank key putts and consistently hit outstanding lag putts that allowed him to make easy pars when he could not make birdie. What, I suspect, may have particularly unsettled his fellow competitors was when he hit an errant, if long drive, on a par 5. DeChambeau proceeded to launch a second shot near the green that exceeded 270 yards in length and soared over a tall clump of trees.

Now, the question becomes, how will DeChambeau’s competitors respond? Will they resort to full Sumo wrestler routine? Will they bulk up and use a stiff arm putting stroke to mimic DeChambeau’s approach to putting?

Also, how will the regulators of golf react? DeChambeau, with his 360-yard drives, 260-yard metal wood shots, and 200 yard 8-iron smashes could easily reach an 800-yard Par 5 in 3. There is not enough real estate out there on many golf courses to contain DeChambeau’s game.

The denizens of golf could attempt to dial down the power in current golf club and golf ball technology in order to save the great golf course of our land. But even if they do, DeChambeau might still be able to power the golf ball well beyond his competitors.

Of course, it is too early for panic to set. Likely, DeChambeau’s competitors and golf regulators will watch what happens in future golf tournaments, particularly major tournaments. It is possible DeChambeau has dialed in the game of golf in a manner no one has done before but will not be able to often replicate his dominance. If so, the crisis abates.

DeChambeau has endured much criticism for his approach to golf. But, like it or not, the man deserves much credit. Thomas Edison once said that genius is 2% inspiration and 98% perspiration. DeChambeau tirelessly applied mathematics and golf swing principles to invent, apparently, a new approach to the game of golf. It will be interesting, however, to watch how this latest possible crisis in the game unfolds.