DeChambeau finding right balance at Augusta National
American Bryson DeChambeau reacts after putting for par on the 18th hole in the second round of the Masters at Augusta National (Harry How)
Bryson DeChambeau, the man who once planned to overpower Augusta National, is in contention again at the Masters, where he has found patience and understanding crucial to balancing his naturally aggressive game.
Advertisement
"It's a daily battle," the reigning US Open champion admitted after firing a four-under par 68 on Friday for a seven-under par total that had him one shot off the lead.
"It's not easy to try and be more conservative when you know the leaders are starting to run away," he said, adding that the intricacies of Augusta National only compound that problem.
"You get these little shelves in certain areas and these little fingers that you've got to hit the ball into, and you've got to hit a cut or a draw. You have to have every shot in the bag.
"It's just difficult to try to accomplish, I would say, just the goal of just being patient and being understanding."
Advertisement
DeChambeau has a mixed history at Augusta National, where he finished tied for 21st as an amateur in 2016 but outside the top 25 in his next six starts.
That included missed cuts in 2022 and 2023 before he finally seemed to find his way last year, when he shot an opening-round 65 and was tied for the lead through 36 holes on the way to a share of sixth place.
Along the way, he provoked the ire of fans of the iconic Georgia course, notably in 2020 when he claimed he muscle he'd packed on made it a "par 67" for him.
This year, he's a darling of Augusta patrons -- some no doubt won over not only by DeChambeau's golf -- now largely showcased on the LIV Golf tour -- but also by his engaging YouTube channel.
Advertisement
"I think the patrons have always been great here," DeChambeau said. "Even when I was in my trying times, I feel like there was still a lot of support.
"Now it just feels like a bolster of energy everywhere. It's quite different, and it's a lot of fun."
On Friday, DeChambeau took full advantage of a course softened by overnight rain, nabbing four front-nine birdies.
That included unsurprising birdies on two par-fives, along with an impressive hole-out from a bunker on the fourth and a birdie at the par-four fifth.
"I feel like I'm doing a really good job of just staying in the moment, not thinking about the next hole, not thinking about the putt, not thinking about anything else," DeChambeau said.
"When I get a little nervous, I go, 'OK, it's just a golf shot. Come on, focus, do it like you've always done it.'"
bb/js
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
The turn of the runner-up
Follow reaction to Coco Gauff's French Open victory after the 21-year-old American's thrilling three-set battle with the World No. 1 Getty Images The Athletic Coco Gauff fought back from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in a rollercoaster French Open final. It is the second Grand Slam singles triumph of Gauff's career and her maiden Roland Garros title, adding to the US Open title she won in 2023, also by beating Sabalenka. 'I was going through a lot of things when I lost here three years ago,' Gauff said after her victory, referencing her straight sets defeat to Iga Swiatek in the 2022 final. 'I'm just glad to be back here. I was going through a lot of dark thoughts. Three finals ... I guess I got the most important win. That's all that matters.' Sabalenka recovered from a 4-1 deficit in an exciting first set tiebreak only to make a huge number of mistakes in the second and third as Gauff seized control. 'This hurts so much,' the World No. 1 said afterwards. 'Congratulations to Coco, she was a better player than me.' Get involved: live@ GO FURTHER French Open final: Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka to win second Grand Slam title Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images Aryna Sabalenka, heartbroken, embraces Henin. She holds her silver plate and poses, or rather just stands. Her turn to speak. She can't initially, throwing her head back and blinking away tears, shaking her head. Sabalenka's emotions taking over. ...is Belgian Justine Henin. The 43-year-old won seven majors, including four here at Roland Garros, plus an Olympic gold medal. She hands the umpire Mariiana Veljović a silver tray for officiating the final. She did a great job, too. Getty Images Drained. Nothing more to give. But victorious. Getty Images Relief and disbelief in equal measure from Coco Gauff, who was seemingly struggling to come to terms with her triumph. The ballboys and ballgirls file out onto court. Decent summer job, that. Getty Images Not sure this what either player wants. Gauff watches it quietly. Aryna Sabalenka, understandably, looks like she'd rather be anywhere but there, putting her towel over her head. The No.2 seed prevailed over the No. 1 seed in a chaotic, tense and enthralling match, ultimately decided by Sabalenka's first-strike tennis, Gauff's adaptability to the conditions and the most unsatisfying statistic in tennis. It is Gauff's first French Open title and her second Grand Slam singles title. It brings her closer to Sabalenka, the runaway world No. 1 in the rankings, and gives Gauff her first major title away from the hard courts of her home major at the U.S. Open. Below, The Athletic 's writers, Charlie Eccleshare and Matt Futterman, analyze the final and what it means for tennis. GO FURTHER French Open final: Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka to win second Grand Slam title Getty Images FINAL: Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 Sabalenka A high five from Spike Lee, Coco Gauff climbs into her box and hugs her parents, then her coaches. A beaming smile on her face. The American is victorious! Getty Images She's done it! Coco Gauff collapses onto the clay! 'Oh my God,' she says. 'Oh my God'. On her knees, clay staining her forehand, she signs a love heart to her mum, who is jumping up and down for joy. Getty Images Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 5-4* Sabalenka An OK serve from Gauff, catches Sabalenka off guard, net. Super from Sabalenka, though, rushing the net daringly and volleying away adeptly and adroitly at the net. A booming return, Sabalenka going for her shots, 15-30. Coco's mum Candi clapping her daughter on. Big serve, 30-all. Two more points... One more now! Gauff mishits a forehand, a little lucky, draws Sabalenka into the net and Gauff slams it away for a winner! Championship point... saved! Incredible bravery from Sabalenka, who thrashes desperately and her return hits the baseline! Deuce, then Sabalenka advantage as more merciless hitting slides beyond Gauff's grasp. Advantage Aryna. She goes all-in, and it's wide. Deuce. Candi Gauff with eyes closed, muttering a little prayer heavenward. Those prayers answered? Sabalenka slings it wearily into the net. A second championship point... Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, *5-4 Sabalenka This is, obviously, a must-hold for top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Backhand volley at the net for 15-0. Sabalenka, sweat beading her hands, drops her racket after missing a first serve and wipes it dry. Pinned back deep, Sabalenka with a horribly miscued backhand, miles wide. 66 unforced errors in this match, more than double Gauff's (30). 15-all. Whoosh, a forehand with the force of a thousand suns, 30-15. Grip it and rip it, Gauff wide, 40-15. Gauff purses her lips ever so slightly. Brilliant return from Gauff, Sabalenka long, 40-30 and a slim chink of light for Gauff in this game. Sabalenka unhappy with the bounce as Gauff's ball kicks up on her, and she pulls it wide. Big serve, then big smash, Gauff wide, advantage. Wonderful point, hitting the corners with aplomb. Has Sabalenka found her hitting range in the nick of time? Getty Images Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 5-3* Sabalenka Double fault, gasps from the near-15,000-strong crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, then an ace. How's that for contrasts? 15-all, Sabalenka into the net, brilliant retrieval low to her right, Gauff smacks it cross-court and Sabalenka gets a racket on it but the ball skids downwards and into the net! The power did for her there. A wonderful arcing forehand into the corner, unplayable, winner. 40-15. Sabalenka long. Gauff edging closer. Getty Images Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, *4-3 Sabalenka Sabalenka narrowly out, point replayed, but Sabalenka with not one but two really poor backhands into the net. Nowhere near going over, either. 0-30 down and more complaints to her box. A double fault, 0-40 down, three break points to Coco Gauff. Sabalenka yelling in disbelief at her box. The difference between her floor and ceiling is stark. Fine shot from Gauff, the first point she's really won rather than Sabalenka losing it in this game, and it's a break to love. Gauff is two games from the championship. Getty Images Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 3-3* Sabalenka Nicely done. Under the floodlights in the dying natural light of this summer's day in Paris, Sabalenka plays an excellent point, forcing Gauff into the corner and putting the backhand volley away. Double fault, 0-30, but Sabalenka, off-balance, makes two mistakes. I think she's struggling with her movement due to fatigue, not getting her feet into the right position to strike as powerfully as she is able. Wow! Really unlucky net cord for Gauff, who shovels it wide. On such moments of fortune can matches, and finals, turn. Gauff errs again and that's a break. How Coco will rue that intervention on the net. Getty Images Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, *3-2 Sabalenka Advantage after a big serve. Sabalenka pauses with a scowl after a ballboy scrambles to retrieve a loose ball. Gauff's return is long and that is vital for the world No. 1. Getty Images The combination of what's at stake and the tour's best defender have been a lethal one-two punch to the Sabalenka jaw today. All these errors do not happen in isolation. Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, *3-1 Sabalenka Gauff goes 0-15 up, world-class returning, but Sabalenka does what so few players can and overwhelms her with pace. Stand and deliver, she tries to put her whole body into a backhand but can't get it over the net. 15-30. This game cannot slip through her fingers if she wants to lift the trophy. Gauff returns long, 30-all, fascinatingly poised. Sabalenka gets away with a couple of shots in the rally, hitting the baseline twice, comes to the net but can only volley it back awkwardly and Gauff hits it clean as a whistle down the line for a fine winner. 30-40. Break point. A few deep breaths from the top seed. And a gargantuan serve saves the break point! Just kissed the line on the way through. Deuce. Uh oh. Sabalenka with poor shot selection, tries a drop shot, wrong execution too, Gauff latches onto it and elicits the error. Another break point, another saved with a scorching winner down the line. Deuce again.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Niemann wins LIV Golf Virginia for 4th victory in the Saudi-funded tour's first 8 events of the year
GAINESVILLE, Va. — Joaquin Niemann of Chile won LIV Golf Virginia on Sunday for his fourth victory in the Saudi-funded tour's first eight events of the season, closing with an 8-under 63 to beat Graeme McDowell and Anirban Lahiri by a stroke. Niemann broke out of a logjam at the top with birdies on Nos. 14-17 and parred the par-4 18th to finish at 15-under 198 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
US Open Champion Calls $21K Penalty on Self at RBC Canadian Open
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. With only three holes left in the second round of the RBC Canadian Open, Justin Rose called a two-stroke penalty on himself. In an ironic twist, the 2013 US Open champion missed the cut by exactly two strokes. In other words, his decision cost him at least $20,090, which is the lowest amount anyone will earn if they make the cut. Rose could very easily improved upon that over the weekend, also. But the incident not only demonstrated the player's sportsmanship, but also revealed that even a veteran like Rose can have gaps in his knowledge of golf rules. Had he been better prepared from a regulatory standpoint, he could have gained one more stroke, though it still would not have been enough to make the cut. The incident occurred on the seventh hole, 16th of the second round for Rose. The Englishman shanked his tee shot, which took an unexpected path to the right. The ball came to rest 57 yards from the hole, with Rose finding it in the middle of the thick rough. Rose then tried to clear a loose impediment, causing the ball to move. That was mistake No. 1. He decided to execute his second stroke and declare the rule violation that had occurred, which was mistake No. 2. However, he did not take into account Rule 9.4, which states that the moved ball must be repositioned to its original position and the offender receives only a one-stroke penalty. Justin Rose of England plays his shot from the tenth tee during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 07, 2024 in Dublin, Ohio. Justin Rose of England plays his shot from the tenth tee during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 07, 2024 in Dublin, playing the ball without repositioning it, Rose incurred the infraction established in Rule 14.7a: playing the ball from an incorrect position. This infraction carries a two-stroke penalty. Granted, Rose's confusion was irrelevant because he would have missed the cut regardless of whether he received one or two penalty strokes. But had he not caused his ball to move by attempting to move the loose impediment, he very likely makes the weekend and a paycheck. The Englishman had reached the seventh hole with a score of 3-under, but ended up at 1-under after the penalty. Rose parred the last two holes, but it was not enough, as the cut line was drawn at 3-under. The 11-time PGA Tour winner has had a very up-and-down 2025 season. He has played in 11 tournaments, missed four cuts, withdrew from one event, and finished in the top 10 three times, including his career third runner-up finish at the Masters Tournament. After his excellent result at Augusta National Golf Club, Rose has struggled to find his best golf. Since then, he has played in four tournaments, missing one cut and withdrawing from another. His best result was a tie for 42nd place at the RBC Heritage. More Golf: Rory McIlroy Posts Worst PGA Tour Finish of Career at Canadian Open
