OPINION: The biggest mystery in golf is what goes on in the head of Bryson DeChambeau this week, he takes another shot at the US Masters at Augusta.
All over the planet, he’s credited with revolutionising golf. Maybe.
What he has done is made the game interesting and exciting for the non-golf fans, adopting the ‘grip and rip’ philosophy, as a walking highlight reel with the driver in his hands.
That has somewhat changed in the lead-up to this week's Major, where he’s arrived leaner and now better prepared for a golf course that is impossible to bully with brute force - the harsh lesson he learnt last year.
In 2020, he said - stupidly - that he was approaching the course as a par 67, insisting he could reach every par five in two. He’s retracted that this year.
“It’s definitely a par 72, and I'm just going to try and shoot the best score I can,” a humbled DeChambeau recanted earlier this week.
Last November, he made 18 birdies and one eagle, which would’ve seen him score 20 under - Dustin Johnson’s record winning score - but he threw into the mix 11 bogeys, two doubles and a triple.
Rather than focussing on his driving, let’s look at his short game, where he was the 10th best putter (strokes gained) on the tour.
When he won the US Open at Winged Foot last year, his work around the greens was the reason, so IF he were to win this week, it won’t be off the back of his big-hitting prowess.
But his game is not where it was this time last year - he ranks 42nd in putting and 65th in greens in regulation, so vital at Augusta.
A lot has been made of DeChambeau and the way he has ‘revolutionised’ golf, his bulk, faster swing speeds and hundreds of protein shakes, but will it help him win a Green Jacket this week?
No.
Obviously first in driving distance on the PGA Tour, but you don't need to be long at Augusta - you need to be straight and you need to hit the ball in the right places. He ranks 133rd in driving accuracy.
While DeChambeau won’t win the Masters, here's who have the best chance:
Xander Schauffele: Just continues to fly under the radar, especially at Majors. His game isn’t in perfect shape, but he hits the ball straight, he’s a top-10 putter this season and was runner-up here last year.
Justin Thomas: Very difficult to see a 2021 Masters where Thomas isn’t in contention deep into the fourth day. He comes off a massive win at the Players, sits atop of a couple of putting stats and is top three in approaches to the green this season.
Dustin Johnson: Rock solid, reigning champion, world No.1 - only Tiger Woods has beaten him in this tournament in the last two years and he has had five wins in the last 10 months.
Keep an eye on Colin Morikawa and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Luke Robinson is a Newshub sports reporter
