IT’S BRYSON DECHAMBOOM
Dougherty: US Open champ may hit 400 yard drives... but you need more than muscle to beat Augusta
BRysoN DeChaMBeau has the power to turn this week’s Masters into a joke – but augusta National will enjoy the last laugh.
That’s the expert view of Nick Dougherty, who played in the 2008 instalment and will anchor Sky Sports coverage of the first November Masters.
Beefed-up DeChambeau, who pulverised Winged Foot into submission in winning the US Open in September, has been hitting the ball 400 yards off the tee in practice.
And the Californian, 27, is threatening to go even longer by unsheathing a 48-inch driver at Augusta – the maximum length allowed by the rules.
But Dougherty suspects the irons may well flatten him at Augusta.
He said: “I loved the US Open as a player because of how brutal it was, especially Winged Foot. But Bryson was so far up there on every hole, and hitting so little club into the green, that the old US Open set-up didn’t work any more.
“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.
“That is the crucial part of the Masters, and the bit that has been harder for him since he has changed his body has been the control of distance.
“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.”
Dougherty (left) added: “It’s not going to be all plain sailing for Bryson.
I do think he’s going to be there or thereabouts, but I’m not convinced he’s 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 noted: “He’ll be
hoping for a miracle, but he’s not there with his game and you need to be at Augusta.”
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: “It’s easy to assume that he is too good not to win the Masters, and that’s true, but there’s no guarantee he will do it.
“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, Rory will go from being a superstar to an all-time legend.
“But the expectation doesn’t help him because he is a watcher and a reader. There are a few things in his favour. It will feel different with no patrons and it’s going to be soft, which always plays to his advantage, but he’s not quite where he would want to be with his form.
“My heart would say Rory, but he’s not playing as consistently as someone like Xander Schauffele.”