Jason Day in Contention as Bryson DeChambeau Struggles with a Three-Shot Bunker Exit in Masters First Round Disaster

The spectres of past Masters disappointments may have loomed large over Bryson DeChambeau as his ambitions of securing a green jacket crumbled amidst a flurry of sand — specifically, three shots from a greenside bunker during his opening round.

The 2024 US Open champion took three attempts to escape the troublesome sand trap at the par-4 11th hole, ultimately recording a triple-bogey seven on his scorecard, resulting in a four-over 76.

This very hole had nearly dashed his chances of winning the previous year’s tournament, where his second shot ended up submerged in the water, leading him to a double bogey.

The poorest opening round by a future champion occurred in 1982 when Craig Stadler managed a 75.

DeChambeau has dedicated significant time in recent years to reshaping his public persona. Once regarded as the sport’s ‘brat’, the LIV golfer has transformed into a crowd favourite during major tournaments, benefiting from the rare opportunity to compete against PGA Tour regulars.

However, after his disappointing first round at Augusta, the lengthy, jovial responses he’d previously offered in interviews were replaced with curt, clipped remarks.

DeChambeau claimed he “executed a good shot” but the ball travelled an unintended 10 metres further than anticipated, landing in the sand after taking two bounces.

When asked why it took him three strokes to escape, he replied succinctly, “The bunker was softer than I thought.”

At the top of the leaderboard, Rory McIlroy commenced his title defence in stellar fashion, posting a five-under 67 to share the lead with American Sam Burns, while Jason Day emerged as the top Australian, currently tied for third, just two shots behind the leaders.

Despite hitting only five fairways, McIlroy managed to launch his round in spectacular fashion, unleashing a 3-wood from the rough that sailed over the hill onto the green of the par-5 eighth. This moment kicked off a remarkable eight-hole stretch in which he notched five birdies in total.

Only one other player in the past decade — Hideki Matsuyama in 2021 — has carded a 67 while managing only five fairways. McIlroy remained unfazed by this statistic, demonstrating a liberated swing that is often fostered by the comfort of owning a Masters green jacket.

“Winning a Masters certainly makes it easier to win a second,” McIlroy commented. “It’s hard to quantify because there are still challenging shots where you might feel a bit tense, but you just have to commit to your swing and not dwell on the ball’s destination.”

“It’s easier for me to take those swings without worrying about where the ball ends up, knowing I can head to the Champions Locker Room and don my green jacket at the end of the day,” he added.

Day kicked off his round with two consecutive pars before a single bogey on the third. This would be the only blemish on an otherwise solid card, as he quickly regained the shot with a birdie on the par-5 eighth, turning in even, and then picking up three more birdies at the 12th, 13th, and 16th holes.

Meanwhile, Justin Rose — whom McIlroy bested in last year’s playoff — was positioned to join him in the lead following the first round for the fifth time in his career, sitting at four-under before back-to-back bogeys derailed his charge on the 16th green.

In other news, Xander Schauffele benefited from a fortunate bounce when a tee shot veered into a fan’s merchandise bag, allowing him to take a free drop, which he successfully converted into a par.

“It ricocheted right into the bag. A great break … thank you to the lady on eight,” he remarked post-round.

Adam Scott also remained competitive, overcoming a two-over front nine to finish with an even-par 72, though he could have scored better had he not dropped shots from promising positions on the 15th and 18th holes.

Cameron Smith finished the day at two over, while Min Woo Lee endured a tough outing, ending six over par. He began with a bogey on the first hole and continued to struggle, dropping two more on the sixth and seventh and a further one on the tenth. Though a well-earned birdie on the 12th offered a glimmer of hope, a double bogey on the 13th came as a disappointing setback.

– with AP

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