Gearing up for the Masters, starting this Thursday, Bryson DeChambeau bringing a new weapon to the table: a new driver.
Last year, the US Open champ of 2020 considered going for a 48-inch driver but eventually decided against it, finishing 18 strokes behind winner Dustin Johnson. Now, after a few dull months, DeChambeau hopes his new club will bring him success at Augusta National.
"Obviously, there's something really beneficial in my bag this week," he said during his press conference before the event. "I won't get into details. But I know it's taken a few years to develop and I'm really excited. I'm not sure if it'll help me reach the next level – this is golf, and you never know what's going to happen. What I've seen on the practice range and in training sessions these past few weeks has definitely had some great advantages."
The world No.1 added 40 pounds to his swing last year after returning from a Coronavirus-induced break, enabling him to hit the ball further. Now the longest driver on the PGA Tour, he claimed his first major at the U.S. Open last year.
However, Issues arose during his Masters debut, where he tied for 34th place. Despite hoping that his length would provide an edge – as he spent practice sessions trying to clear the trees protecting the right side of the first hole, shortening the 445-yard par-4 – the rest of his game had to come together for him to succeed.
"There are some holes here where length is a huge advantage from a statistical standpoint," said DeChambeau to reporters. "But you navigate around the greens and try to hit the ball in those areas of the green where there are pins, and it can be really tricky. I always say this: You can only hit it in the hole once. Driving is important, but distance is everything at Augusta National. That's what really counts. That's what tests more than just driving."
Did you know?
- DeChambeau's experimentation with longer drivers is part of his overall strategy to optimize his game, especially in major tournaments like the U.S. Open where distance is significant.
- His use of a 48-inch driver, while not directly mentioned, suggests that he aims to maximize his distance and accuracy for better performance at Augusta National's challenging layout.
- With the Masters as his top priority for 2025 and a goal to win the tournament, DeChambeau looks set to leverage the advantages of his 48-inch driver as part of his overall strategy.
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