Masters: LIV star posts 65
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Mike Schy has never been – well, shy – in predicting big things for Bryson DeChambeau.
The 2020 U.S. Open champion was Schy’s prized student, who won the NCAA men’s golf title and U.S. Amateur under his watchful eye. But the two took a break much like Ross and Rachel in the TV show “Friends,” during which DeChambeau bulked up and reached new heights with instructor Chris Como. Last year, Schy and DeChambeau reunited, although as Schy put it, “he’ll never admit it,” and to that extent DeChambeau also counts on Dana Dahlquist for swing help. Two weeks ago, Schy was in Dallas working with DeChambeau and he said, “I’ve never seen him hit it so good. I’ve been getting more excited by the day.”
And for good reason. On Thursday, DeChambeau rolled in eight birdies, including the first three holes and five of the last seven, en route to posting a 7-under 65 at Augusta National in the first round of the 88th edition of the Masters.
“It’s one of the best rounds I’ve played in a long time,” DeChambeau said.
Gary Woodland, who played in DeChambeau’s grouping, seconded that sentiment.
“It was a clinic. It was impressive. He didn’t get out of position hardly at all, and he rolled it very, very nice,” Woodland said. “I think that one will be pretty special out here today.”
After a 2 1⁄2-hour weather delay at the start of the day, the sun popped out, the birds began chirping and the birdies started dropping for golfers. DeChambeau made the first of three consecutive birdies on the second nine
beginning at 15 after he fanned his tee shot at the par 5 to the right but still managed to find the green from the pine trees with his second shot.
“It clipped the tree,” he said. “I hit four pine needles rather than five, and it worked out perfectly. But 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.”
DeChambeau, 30, is making his eighth start in the Masters. He was low amateur in 2016 and shared the firstround lead in 2018 before finishing T-4. In 2020, he stated that the course played to a par of 67 for him rather than a par 72 because of his length advantage. Since then, nine of his last 12 rounds have been in the 70s, and one of the three non-70 rounds was an 80 in the second round in 2022.
“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 said. “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.”
DeChambeau also has stopped chasing distance and found equipment that better suits his unique style of play. He defected in 2022 to LIV Golf, where he shot 61-58 on the weekend at LIV Golf ’s Greenbrier event last summer, telling his caddie that weekend, “I can’t wait for April.”
In January, DeChambeau made a reconnaissance mission to get comfortable with his equipment at Augusta National and said instead of going down rabbit holes he’s trying to think about the feelings he had when he enjoyed the rarefied air of a sub-60 round and what worked that week.
“I know this game is ever-changing and it’s always moving. It’s a moving target. But for me, it’s going back to that day, those few days I played shooting 61, 58 on the weekend and going, all right, what did I do there that was so good, and how do I keep doing it? And just looking back and reflecting on that and making sure I’m feeling that same motion that I’ve settled in on,” he said.
During his post-round press conference Thursday, he was reminded that he has won in his “mad scientist” phase and during his “bulky basher” phase. Asked what phase he thinks his game is in now, he answered, “The golf phase. I’d say the golf phase for sure. Trying to be the best golfer I can be.”