At the Masters, Bryson DeChambeau’s third iteration may be the most challenging.
DeChambeau reached what he called the “golf phase” after shedding his insane scientist and big build roles, and it was sufficient to propel him to a 7-under 65 on Thursday in a punishing wind, giving him a one-shot lead over the same old Scottie Scheffler.
The first round was delayed by two and a half hours due to rain that fell overnight at Augusta National, which left the greens softer than they had been all week. A constant 20 mph wind with gusts twice that speed impeded the game.
Tiger Woods was one of the players that remained on the course; he was one-under par after 13 holes when it became too dark to play. Next up for him is a test of stamina over 23 holes on Friday, where he will try to make a Masters record by making his 25th straight cut.
With 3 holes remaining, Nicolai Højgaard of Denmark, one of the 17 rookies at the Masters, was at 5-under. Max Homa had completed 13 holes at 4-under.
DeChambeau, who usually does well at Augusta National, had his worst start in a major. He displayed a clinical display of power and putting.
“I’m attempting to play golf as well as I can. I’m simply trying to accomplish the same thing over and over again by repeating a move.” DeChambeau said.
Over a six-hole span on the back nine, he rattled off five birdies, including a two-putt on the 15th par-5, where his daring shot under a pine tree cleared the pond fronting the green and left him forty feet away.
“It clipped the tree. I hit 4 pine needles instead of 5, and it worked out exactly’, DeChambeau remarked, retaining some of his exact math skills.
About 2 hours later, with the wind blowing straight out of the breeze, Scheffler teed off, somewhat taken aback to see so many red numbers under par on the big white boards.
It’s a very difficult golf course, and I’ve played this tournament in some pretty strong winds previously,” Scheffler remarked, praising his caddie Ted Scott for “judging the wind accurately” on several strokes.
Of the 89 players in the field, he had the only round without a bogey, which is an easy feat on a day like today. Out of his 6 birdies, 3 were on par 3s, including one that he made from behind the green on the 12th.
DeChambeau believes that his shot that just missed the tree was lucky. Scheffler’s second shot on the 13th par-5 was undoubtedly aided by his sudden flinch at the sound of a shot struck from a different fairway. Scheffler thought his ball would roll back into the Rae’s Creek tributary that winds in front of the green since it came up short.
He chipped it close to make birdie since the turf remained in place due to its softness.
“No ball has ever stayed up there that I’ve witnessed. I’m not sure if that will occur once more this week. Hopefully, I don’t find out.” Scheffler said.
FanDuel Sportsbook started Scheffler as the 4-1 favourite, the lowest odds since Tiger Woods almost 20 years ago. Subsequently, the world’s top player, who entered the Masters fresh off two victories and a second-place result, performed as predicted.
It was his 11th round of the year without a bogey.
“You’re going to have a pretty good day out there anytime you can get around this golf course bogey-free,” Scheffler stated.
DeChambeau was perfect the rest of the way, missing only one shot—a lengthy three-putt to a back pin on No. 9. He had a chip-and-putt birdie after almost driving the short par-4 third hole. Three of the par fives were birdied, and he finished with a bonus after making a 30-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.
DeChambeau believes he’s found his rhythm and his equipment. Although he still possesses swing speed when necessary, he is not pursuing it as much as he formerly did.
He has consistently been among the world’s greatest putters. He’s obviously extremely excellent when he drives it like he did today that is, really well. He also makes putts. It was a medical facility. It was very striking. He hardly ever got out of position and rolled it very, very nice.” his playing partner Gary Woodland remarked
The reigning winner Jon Rahm was eight strokes behind after he lost ground due to bogeys on his final two holes.
“Under the circumstances of today, they are some really excellent rounds. I’ve not made things simple for myself. I’m going to have to get up to speed fast.” Rahm said.
If nothing else, Rory McIlroy managed to stay in the event after losing the first round. He chipped in from behind the 18th green to save par in his tenth attempt at the career Grand Slam, opening the Masters with a round under par for the first time since 2018.
“I did a good job of keeping it together. It had a scruffy feel to it. I changed a 3-under to a 1-under there in the final moments. Still, not a horrible score all around. There’s definitely still a lot of golf to be played.” McIlroy said.
With a favourable forecast for the remainder of the week, the Masters should continue on schedule by the weekend. The first round was scheduled to resume at 7:50 a.m. ET.
