Whatever Bryson DeChambeau goes on and achieves in his career, it is likely that the end of 2019 will be looked back upon as a real turning point which set the stage for what was to come.
It is remarkable to think now that Bryson DeChambeau went into the 2020 season having not registered one top 10 finish in the majors, despite having 14 attempts. The 31-year-old is now a two-time US Open champion and one of the most popular players on the planet.
But DeChambeau made a drastic decision in 2019 to transform his body in an attempt to overpower golf courses. Certainly, the difference in his appearance from 2018 to 2020 is unbelievable.
Of course, one of the most famous moments came in 2021 when DeChambeau attempted to drive the par five 6th green at Bay Hill. Meanwhile, he hit a drive over 400 yards at the Ryder Cup later that year.
What Jordan Spieth said about Bryson DeChambeau ahead of the 2020 Masters
And it appears that his peers were definitely sitting up and taking notice. In fact, it seems that some expected him to be the overwhelming favourite for the 2020 Masters which was set to be played in November that year.
Speaking on Subpar in the weeks before the tournament, Jordan Spieth noted that everything was in place for DeChambeau to blow the rest of the field away at Augusta National.
“Now when I look at this; I remember talking with Justin and Rory about this, sitting at lunch one day, I think it was Boston, we were sitting having lunch and watching the telecast as we’re sitting there, and they’re showing Bryson. I’m like, ‘this guy, he has to lose the Masters to not win the Masters’,” he said.
“His fairway, at how far he’s flying the golf ball, if it’s warm, if it’s nice temperatures, number two, his fairway’s 70 yards wide. Number three, hits it in the upslope. No advantage four or five, six. But you get to eight, carries the bunker and it’s 80 yards wide. Nine, his fairway on nine, goes from the scoreboard on number one, 90 yards left of the fairway to the bunkers off number seven – that’s his fairway. It’s 1,000 yards wide.”
DeChambeau’s chequered history with Augusta National
DeChambeau has had such an interesting relationship with Augusta National over the years. He famously said in 2020 that the course should be a par 67 for him. And unfortunately, those comments have been come back to haunt him.
2024 marked the first time DeChambeau finished in the top 10 at the Masters. He had led after the first two rounds before falling away.
Meanwhile, he had missed the cut in both of the previous two years.
And as for the 2020 event, DeChambeau would finish in a tie for 34th on two under par – three shots clear of Spieth. He was 18 shots off eventual winner Dustin Johnson.
And with that, the wait for the green jacket does indeed go on.
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