AUGUSTA, Ga. – When he showed up here in 2020, smack in the middle of his seven-protein-shakes-a-day era, Bryson DeChambeau had the audacity to say out loud that his length off the tee and the reachability of the par-5s made him view Augusta National as a par-67 golf course.
And as this place tends to do to those who don’t show it the proper respect, it smacked DeChambeau right in the face: Tied for 34th that year, tied for 46th the following April before missed cuts in 2022 and 2023. Augusta National will simply not tolerate anyone thinking the course is that easy.
But as DeChambeau’s audacity and thirst to put himself in the middle of controversy has receded – not just here, but in general – it seems his relationship with the Masters has advanced beyond a détente. Has he finally figured this place out?
After finishing tied for sixth last year, by far his best finish in this event, DeChambeau enters the weekend just one shot back of leader Justin Rose after shooting 69-68. At 31, he’s never had a better opportunity to win a Masters.
“Not getting too far ahead of yourself is important, and that's something that you have to learn over the course of time with a lot of experience,” he said. “You have to put yourself in position. You have to fail. You have to lose. You have to win. You have to come from behind. You have to hold the lead. All those expectations and feelings have to get conquered in your mind. That's why this game is played between your ears.”
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DeChambeau won his first U.S. Open in 2020 by simply overpowering Winged Foot with length off the tee, almost making the place look like an antiquated championship test.
But while most of the premiere players who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf have seen their games deteriorate to varying degrees, DeChambeau has become a far better and more complete player while also rehabilitating his lightning rod public persona.
Back then, it would have been hard to imagine Augusta galleries embracing DeChambeau. But after his second US Open title last year, his stardom on YouTube doing trick shots and playing with celebrities and just generally being more considerate and likeable, he will have a ton of support this weekend as he ...
