BRYSON ‘WILL NEED MORE THAN POWER’
BEEFED-UP Bryson Dechambeau has the power to turn this week’s Masters into a joke but it will be Augusta National that has the last laugh, according to Nick Dougherty.
The American, who pulverised Winged Foot into submission in winning the US Open in September, has been thumping the ball 400 yards in practice. And Dechambeau (below) is threatening to go even longer by unsheathing a 48-inch driver at Augusta – the maximum length allowed.
But Dougherty, who played in the 2008 tournament and will anchor Sky Sports’ coverage of the first November Masters, believes big hitting will not be enough to tame the course.
He said: “I loved the US Open as a player because of how brutal it was, especially Winged Foot. But he was so far up there on every hole and hitting so little club into the hole that the old US Open set-up didn’t work any more.
“And I thought that was really sad.
“With Augusta the jury is out. Of course, it will help that he is closer to the green but the problem for him is the approach play.
“You have to be good with the irons at Augusta and while Bryson is good he’s not the very best.
“He is a brilliant putter but you cannot use green-reading books at
Augusta which is a massive disadvantage to all the guys that usually do – and Bryson is one of those.
“So it’s not going to be all plain sailing for Bryson. I’m not convinced he is going to win it.”
It is 19 months since Tiger Woods made his spellbinding comeback win but his defence looks a long shot with no form this year, no patrons to will him on and continuing issues with his back.
Dougherty said: “He’ll be hoping for a miracle.”
Meanwhile, Rory Mcilroy is chasing his career Grand Slam hoping the change of season will bring a change of luck on his sixth attempt to join golf’s most elite club.
Dougherty said: “When you look at the five guys who have completed the career Grand Slam they all did it by the third attempt.
“If he does it will go from being a superstar to an all-time legend but the expectation doesn’t help him.
“There are a couple of things in his favour. It will feel different with no patrons and it’s going to be soft which always plays to his advantage.”
Tune in to Sky Sports The Masters from November 12-15 to watch exclusive live coverage of the tournament as well as previous, highlights and archive footage.