Augusta (United States) (AFP) – Bryson DeChambeau, known for his long tee shots and YouTube videos, declared in 2020 that Augusta National played as a “par-67” to him because of his driving distance. Six years later, the two-time US Open champion boasts he has learned patience and accepts he must take what the famed course will allow as he prepares for the 90th Masters.
“There’s a sense of obedience you have to have out here,” he said Tuesday. “But it truly is patience because it gives you the opportunity to go for it. More patience, not as aggressive all the time. Knowing where to be aggressive and when not to be aggressive. Those are the things. Making better decisions.”
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DeChambeau, who was 34th in 2020 and never shot better than 69 at the par-72 layout, was fifth last year and sixth in 2024. The LIV Golf star has traded ball bashing and distance for location and strategy when it comes to Augusta National.
“Focusing on hitting the bigger parts of the greens, making sure I’m missing it in the right places to certain flags, is really what has adjusted my mindset in a positive way,” he said. “In times past, I’d just be going right for the flag, and it quite honestly would get me in a lot of trouble. I have my golf swing a little bit more under control than I have in years past.”
The 32-year-old American won LIV titles last month in Singapore and South Africa and has five triumphs in the Saudi-backed series over the past three years. “I’m playing well and I feel like my game is in the best place of its career,” DeChambeau said. “I’m excited to get the week going and see where I can put myself.”
DeChambeau, ranked 24th in the world, put himself into the final group on Sunday last year but lost to Rory McIlroy, whom he edged at Pinehurst for the 2024 US Open crown. “It was a great learning lesson. That last group final round gave me a lot of perspective,” he said. “The more I put myself in those positions, the better opportunities I’m going to have to win.”
DeChambeau is working on creating his own personal clubs and likes tinkering with strategy. “It’s a continual learning process. From a nerding-out perspective, it’s really about the wind this year for me,” said DeChambeau. “Preparation the past couple days has really been focused on wind and how I’m hitting my second shots into the greens… just making sure the numbers are correct and hitting my distances and missing in the right places when I need to. There’s numerous things I’m working on always and next year it will probably be different as well.”
© 2024 AFP
