Bryson DeChambeau is yet to win The Masters but if conditions suit him, then 2025 might well be his year if he can pull off what Jack Nicklaus once suggested was possible.
Nicklaus knows more about Augusta than most and in terms of the holes, he very much knows the ins and outs of them all.
With that, comes great knowledge of how to plot your way around Augusta National. Over the years, we’ve seen the likes of Tiger Woods take on big gambles with shots, while players like Danny Willett have won by simply plotting their way around smartly.
However, when it comes to DeChambeau, Jack Nicklaus once admitted he felt the two-time major winner could very much do things never seen at Augusta National.
Jack Nicklaus’ prediction about Bryson DeChambeau at Augusta National
Speaking back in 2021 about Bryson DeChambeau and his potential at The Masters, Nicklaus pointed to the American’s driving ability and suggested that if the conditions suited, DeChambeau could hit some greens in one at Augusta even on the longer holes.
“Let’s start off with what he could do. He could drive the first green. If it’s firm, he could drive the first green. Under the right conditions. On two they will all hit middle to short irons. On the eighth, hit it over the bunker and down the right side and he would play a four or five iron on there. I think 13 he could take it over the top there. And he could hit a nine iron or a wedge,” Nicklaus admitted.
“I haven’t seen him hit a golf ball in person except at the Open. He impressed at the Memorial tournament. He hit it to some places I couldn’t believe. He hit it 27 yards from the first green. Come on, that is 470, something like that.”
“If he can do that he can drive the first green at Augusta. Then 15 all of a sudden he has a wide fairway as he can hit it past the trees on the left. He will hit a pitching wedge into 15. What he has done is amazing.
“He has figured out that the game of golf, distance is far more important than accuracy. Even the US Open, he took the chance with what he did to be able to do that. I give the guy great kudus. People say it’s not a skill. You have to hit the ball 400 yards and find the golf course and your golf ball!
“I think the skill not only with the driver, iron shot, pitching, putting. They are all skills and you develop skills which give you an advantage. That is what he has figured out.”
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What Jack Nicklaus once said was ‘unbelievable’ about Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau’s record is not great at The Masters and his best finish actually came in 2024 when he ended up in T6.
However, Nicklaus is a fan and speaking about DeChambeau back in 2020, he admitted at being impressed by the now LIV Golf star.
The places he’s been hitting the golf ball…look, Bryson’s golf swing is not a fluid golf swing that really whips the club into the ball. Bryson’s golf swing is pretty firm going back and firm going through, with a lot of body rotation and it’s a little different to lot of guys but the power he’s getting from that, it’s unbelievable.
| Bryson DeChambeau’s finishes at the Masters | |
| 2016 | T21 |
| 2017 | N/A |
| 2018 | T38 |
| 2019 | T29 |
| 2020 | T34 |
| 2021 | T46 |
| 2022 | CUT |
| 2023 | CUT |
| 2024 | T6 |
Just like the US Open in 2024, we are going to see a McIlroy and DeChambeau head to head and for the golfing fans, it’s the ideal scenario.
“I want to watch him play for a bit and watch how he’s actually doing that because he’s doing something right, he’s playing well and the ball’s going a long way with it as well.”
With DeChambeau falling away at LIV Miami this weekend, his confidence will be hit a bit more than it might have been had he won.
Nevertheless, as Nicklaus says, DeChambeau has certain tools that could destroy Augusta and if he plays well, he’s going to be right in there.
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