LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau used a sizzling burst of late birdies to muscle into a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler on Thursday as Spaniard Jon Rahm’s Masters title defence got off to a shaky start. After a storm delayed the start of the year’s first major by 2-1/2 hours, 2020 U.S. Open champion DeChambeau thrived in the softened but windy conditions and mixed eight birdies with one bogey for a seven-under-par 65.
Due to the late start, there were 27 golfers who had yet to finish their opening rounds before play was suspended due to darkness, including Masters debutant Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark who was two shots back of DeChambeau with three holes to play.
DeChambeau, who raised eyebrows in 2020 when he said the par-72 Augusta National layout for him played more like a par-67, enjoyed a fast start as he opened with three consecutive birdie putts, none longer than six feet.
The only blemish on DeChambeau’s card came at the par-four ninth where he three-putted from 70 feet but he went on to scorch the back nine with five birdies over a hot six-hole stretch that he capped with a 31-foot birdie putt at the 17th. “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,” said DeChambeau, who is one of 13 LIV Golf players in the field.
“Regarding the 67 comment, you know, you mess up. I’m not a perfect person. Everybody messes up. —AFP
