Dechambeau opens with 65 to lead Masters
AUGUSTA (AP) — It took Bryson Dechambeau four years and 13 rounds to finally break par at Augusta National.
His par.
Or at least, what he once proclaimed to be his par.
Dechambeau birdied his first three holes Thursday, April 11, made five more over his last seven, and opened with a 65 to take the early lead at the Masters. It was his best round ever in the season’s first major, and only his second in the 60s since the once-brash, always-outspoken Dechambeau ruffled a few feathers among the green jackets.
Back in 2020, a bulked-up Dechambeau declared his power had rendered the par-72 layout a par 67, because he could reach Augusta National’s four par-5s in two and the short, par-4 third hole was reachable off the tee.
The comment came off as arrogance run amok, and Dechambeau got some comeuppance when he tied for 34th that year.
The former U.S. Open champion admitted Thursday that he has taken plenty of flack for it.
“For me,” Dechambeau said, “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.
“Regarding the 67 comment,” Dechambeau continued, “you know, you mess up. I’m not a perfect person. Everybody messes up. You learn from your mistake, and that was definitely one.”
To be sure, Dechambeau is older and wiser — a whole lot richer, too, thanks to his jump from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf — than he was four years ago. He has overcome injuries, including a fractured bone in his left wrist, and struggled with tweaks to his swing as he shed some of that muscle for a more lithe, athletic build that just might hold up better over time.