Bryson DeChambeau admits he made a mistake in 2020 when he said that Augusta National was a “par-67 for me because I can reach all the par fives in two” after he beat that score by two on Thursday to lead the Masters.
DeChambeau has had many horror stories at the Masters since making the comment including being outscored by Bernhard Langer by two shots four years ago where his own best effort was a 69.
DeChambeau hasn’t had the opportunity to clarify his eyebrow raising comments because, well, he hasn’t played well at Augusta in recent years.
“Again, the comment was definitely misinterpreted. I said it, and I respect people’s opinions on it.
“For me, I have a level of respect for this golf course that’s a little bit different than a couple years ago, and clearly today was a great test of golf, and I was able to conquer a very difficult golf course today.
“Regarding the 67 comment, you know, you mess up. I’m not a perfect person. Everybody messes up. You learn from your mistake, and that was definitely one.
“I shot 65 today, and that was one of the best rounds of golf I’ve played in a long time. There’s three more days to go, and I’m not losing sight of that fact; that it’s right there in front of me. Just got to go execute.”
DeChambeau had been at odds with his game when he originally moved to LIV Golf in 2022 but seems to be heading in the right direction again after some encouraging major championship performances last year.
“I mean, it’s been a journey, to say the least. One that I have thoroughly enjoyed, but also it’s taken a big toll on me in numerous situations.
“I will say that I’ve learned a lot from it, and a lot of it was things that weren’t really in my control at that point in time. I won’t go into it. But I’m in a place now where I’ve figured some stuff out with my golf game, golf swing. I’m just in a comfortable place where I’m doing the same thing every single week.
“I feel like it’s just ingraining consistently over the course of time. I’m not trying new things, not doing new things. I’m just doing more of the same. That’s what’s been different from a couple years ago to now. I’m just doing the same thing every single day, day-in and day-out. I’m not trying something new. I’m not trying to figure something out. And that’s what I feel like has accumulated into playing some really good golf.”
The former US Open winner has toned down on his bulking strategy and has found equipment that he feels is helping him perform on a more consistent basis.
“I think I’ve gotten equipment that is performing a little differently for me, and I’m settled on that. I’m just saying to myself every — every day I get up, just swing the same way you have been for the past seven, eight months since I put it in play at Greenbrier and just go back to those feels every single day.
“I know that works. I mean, I shot 58 with it. And I know this game is ever-changing and it’s always moving. It’s a moving target. But for me, it’s going back to that day, those few days I played shooting 61, 58 on the weekend and going, all right, what did I do there that was so good, and how do I keep doing it? And just looking back and reflecting on that and making sure I’m feeling that same motion that I’ve settled in on.
“The motion is really just tilt the shoulder to swing more inside out. That’s literally all it is. And my putting is take it straight back, straight through. Those are the two biggest things I’ve focused on.”
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