Bryson DeChambeau might be getting the drift. The man who figured he could bomb Augusta National into submission, who once called it a ‘par 67’, is finally treating the Masters course with respect.
When you do that, good things can happen. His 65, with eight birdies and one bogey, was his best round at the Masters, matched his lowest effort in a major championship, and sent him to the top of the leaderboard during a weather-delayed opening round.
It came from a new perspective. Having treated us to the ‘Mad Scientist’, and the ‘Bulky Basher’, Bryson has now introduced ‘The Golf Phase’.
“Winning at Winged Foot helped me understand how to win big tournaments,” he explained, reflecting on how his game had evolved since that 2020 US Open success.
“But a lot of patience, especially out here on this golf course where you feel like it’s gettable, you see it’s right in front of you, but it’s just tricky out here. It can be super tricky.
“[It’s] Making sure that you play aggressively but in a safe manner to where it’s not going to get you into too much trouble.
“So for me, as my game has progressed, I’ve tried to be a little bit smarter out there on the golf course and not try to go for broke and go for every flag, but place it in the right position.”
That still brought an outrageous start with birdies on the first three holes.
After a bogey on the 9th, it was a two on the 12th that started a run of five birdies in seven holes and sent this round stratospheric.
And even with this newfound hit-the-right-shots gameplan, there was still drama – thanks to an outrageous clip from close to the pine straw on 15 that flirted with disaster before jumping onto the green.
Bryson DeChambeau Masters 65: ‘I’ve a level of respect for this golf course that’s a little bit different’
“I was just trying to get to the back right section of the green, and I pushed it a little bit,” he admitted. “It clipped the tree. I hit four pine needles rather than five, and it worked out perfectly.
“It was a little scary of a shot. I shouldn’t have probably done it, but I took a risk. I was willing to take it. I was rewarded fortunately.
“But, no, I was trying to go to that back right section to have a nice chip back down to that pin and I got lucky. I almost made it, but I’ll settle for birdie there any day.”
So what’s changed? A new attitude on life, equipment he says is more suited to his game, and a consistent routine he grains in every day. That, and learning from your mistakes. Yes, the 67 one.
“For me, I have a level of respect for this golf course that’s a little bit different than a couple years ago, and clearly today was a great test of golf, and I was able to conquer a very difficult golf course today,” he added.
“Regarding the 67 comment, you know, you mess up. I’m not a perfect person. Everybody messes up. You learn from your mistake, and that was definitely one.”
He’ll still polarise, of course, whether that’s for what he says – “I’m a very passionate person” – or for what he does. His move to LIV Golf continues to be divisive.
“I’ve dealt with it my whole life,” he conceded. “I was always different growing up and I learned pretty quickly that not everybody is going to agree with you or like what you’re doing.
“My mom always told me to respect others and treat others the way you want to be treated. I try to do that as much as possible. And when somebody doesn’t agree with me, I respectfully say, okay, appreciate that, but I think it’s this way, and we’re just going to agree to disagree.
“And that’s kind of the way I’ve taken it over the past – well, my whole life, essentially. The past couple years, past year essentially, a lot has happened in my life. You realise the frailty of life and how precious it is.
“You can’t figure everything out, and you’re not always going to be right. Respecting that. Respecting Father Time and understanding that. Enjoy the ride. Smell the roses.”
Now have your say
Could this be Bryson DeChambeau’s year at the Masters? Who do you think will don the Green Jacket on Sunday? Why not let us know with a comment on X.
