Bryson DeChambeau optimistic new driver will help chances at Masters

As he prepares for the Masters, which start on Thursday, the 2020 US Open winner has introduced a new weapon with him: a new driver.

DeChambeau had contemplated utilizing a 48-inch driver final 12 months, however opted towards it in the long run, ending 18 photographs behind winner Dustin Johnson.

“Obviously there’s something in the bag this week that’s very helpful,” he stated in his pre-tournament press convention.

“I won’t go into specifics of it. But just know this has been a few years in the making, and I’m very excited for it. Whether it helps me perform at a higher level, I’m not sure, because it’s golf and you never know what happens. Definitely what I’ve seen on the driving range and what I’ve seen the last week in practice, there’s some tremendous benefits to it.”

The world No. 5 shot up golf’s world rankings in 2020 when he returned from the break introduced on by the coronavirus pandemic having added 40 kilos of muscle and in a position to hit the ball even additional.

Now the longest driver on the PGA Tour, he received his maiden main at the US Open final 12 months.

But at the Masters, he struggled, ending tied for 34th.

While he is hoping his size with give him benefits — he spent his apply rounds making an attempt to blast his drive on the primary tee over the timber defending the suitable aspect, thereby leaving a a lot shorter shot to a gap which is 445 yards lengthy — the intricacies of the course means the remainder of his recreation needs to be on level if he needs to have any success.

“There are certain holes out here where length does help tremendously. And so as you look at it from a statistical point of view, there is a lot of advantages to be had with length for me,” DeChambeau informed reporters.

“But, again, you go up around those putting greens, and you just try to hit it into those areas of the green where the pins are, and it becomes very diabolical. Length is only as good as you can hit your next shot, is what I always say. And that’s the most important thing about Augusta National, is it doesn’t test just the driving. It tests your second shots, it tests the third shot, it tests — you’re making for par, your 4-footer you’re trying to make for par.”