GOLF: Bryson DeChambeau humbled by misadventures, opening 76 at Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Bryson DeChambeau knows what it feels like to walk off the 18th green at the Masters holding the lead after a strong opening round. On Thursday, he was reminded of the opposite side of that experience.

DeChambeau’s round at Augusta National was a rollercoaster, highlighted by mistakes that outweighed his early scoring opportunities as he finished with a 4-over-par 76.

One of the most unusual moments came at No. 6, when his tee shot struck a patron. The ball took a favorable bounce, fading left before settling closer to the green. DeChambeau later met the spectator, checked on him, and signed the ball as a gesture of goodwill.

His round unraveled further at No. 11, where he struggled out of a greenside bunker and ultimately made a triple-bogey 7. At the final hole, he closed with a three-putt bogey after staring down a difficult finish on the 18th green.

“I just didn’t have my irons under control, which is weird,” DeChambeau said. “The bunker was softer than I anticipated.”

He birdied Nos. 3 and 17 but also carded bogeys at Nos. 2, 16, and 18. His iron play was inconsistent throughout the round, as he hit just 44% of greens in regulation and was near the bottom of the leaderboard when he signed his scorecard in the afternoon.

DeChambeau, known for his intense practice routine, headed straight to the driving range after his round, appearing determined to work through the issues before the next day of competition.

“I’m just going to give what the golf course gives me,” he said. “I have to hit my irons better. I drove it left a number of times, but that’s this game. That’s this golf course.”

Despite the difficult start, a comeback remains possible. DeChambeau opened the 2024 Masters with a 65 to lead after the first round, showing his ability to rebound quickly in tournament play.

However, history is not on his side. No player who has recorded a triple-bogey during the Masters has gone on to win the green jacket.

“Why am I hooking everything?” DeChambeau was heard saying after another wayward shot on the 18th hole.

He finished the round without the momentum he typically brings to Augusta, but insisted he is not out of contention.

“You know, everybody has the ability for weird things to happen,” he said. “Today, I just didn’t have my irons under control.” -Field Level Media/Reuters