In a stunning display of skill and precision, Bryson DeChambeau surpassed his personal expectations at The Masters, setting a formidable pace on the opening day. The golfer, known for his powerful drives, once famously dubbed Augusta National a “par 67 for me,” a claim he nearly lived up to with an impressive opening round score of 65, beating his projected par by two shots.
DeChambeau’s commanding performance secured him a three-shot lead over former champion Danny Willett, who himself made a strong return to competition with a notable score of 68 after recovering from shoulder surgery last year.
The day unfolded with DeChambeau asserting his dominance right from the start, birdying his first three holes and maintaining a solid rhythm throughout. Even a minor setback on the ninth hole didn’t deter him, as he rallied in the back nine with a series of impressive birdies on holes 12, 13, 15, 16, and 17, finishing with a remarkable 31 on the final stretch.
Willett, in a remarkable comeback of his own, closed out his round with birdies on three of the last four holes, posting a commendable score despite his recent recovery.
DeChambeau’s earlier comment about Augusta being a “par 67” for him had drawn some skepticism, especially after his performance at the 2020 US Open where he finished well behind the leader. However, this latest display has silenced any doubters, solidifying DeChambeau’s status as a force to be reckoned with at this year’s tournament.
As the Masters unfolds, all eyes will be on DeChambeau and the competition he has set for himself and the field.
“You mess up, I’m not a perfect person,” DeChambeau admitted. “You learn from your mistakes and that was one.
“I shot 65 today and that was one of the best rounds I’ve played in a long time. There’s three more days to go and I’m not losing sight of that fact.
“Winning at Winged Foot helped me understand how to win big tournaments, but a lot of patience is needed on this course where you think its gettable but can be super tricky.
“I’ve learned to be a little bit smarter on the course and not go for every flag but play from the right position. I’ve made a lot of big numbers out here so taking that off the radar has been leading to some success for me.”
