On a bright Friday, Bryson DeChambeau described Augusta National as “heaven,” reflecting on his strong start at LIV Miami, hosted at Trump National Doral. After navigating the course to a two-under-par 70 in the second round on Saturday, this two-time U.S. Open champion has positioned himself two strokes ahead of Sergio Garcia, primed to show up at the 2025 Masters in top shape, both personally and professionally.
“Mentally, I feel fantastic,” DeChambeau expressed after his Friday round. “Life is good, with a lot to appreciate—not just from my YouTube projects, but also in business and the circle of people that surround me. We’re stronger than we’ve ever been, and that means everything to me. Sure, putting on a green jacket or winning major championships is thrilling, but the relationships I’ve built and the trust that holds us together is what truly counts.”
DeChambeau’s past experiences at Augusta were filled with challenges until last year. After achieving a T21 as an amateur in 2016, he then struggled to break into the top 25 on his subsequent visits, including two missed cuts during 2022 and 2023. The 2022 tournament was particularly tough, with a second-round score of 80 that highlighted his difficulties with the esteemed course.
However, the tide turned last year when he kicked off with an impressive 65, sharing the lead at halfway. Though he wound up with scores of 75 and 73 over the weekend, finishing T6, it set the stage for a remarkable major season. He came in second at the PGA Championship and later outmatched Rory McIlroy to seize the 2024 U.S. Open title at Pinehurst No. 2.
This success stems from a blend of exceptional talent and a newfound inner peace that accompanies being comfortable in one’s own skin.
The previous year marked a pivotal moment for DeChambeau. Free from injuries and after slimming down from his bulking phase, he transformed from a golf world villain into a fan favorite during that major season.
Pair that transformation with the booming success of his YouTube channel, and you encounter a Bryson DeChambeau whose happiness off the course contributed to his strong performance on it last year.
In this season’s LIV tour, DeChambeau hasn’t yet cracked the top five. His season opened with a T6 in Riyadh, followed by T18, T20, and T10 finishes in Adelaide, Hong Kong, and Singapore respectively. As per DataGolf metrics, he’s currently ranked seventh in Strokes Gained on the LIV tour. While his driving has been impressive (+1.55 Strokes Gained Off The Tee), he’s been struggling a bit with his iron play (-0.22 Strokes Gained On Approach) and putting (-0.41 Strokes Gained Putting).
Lately, he’s been experimenting with various golf balls to find the perfect spin. Right now, he’s playing with the Titleist ProV1x2025, although the quest isn’t over yet.
“I want a bit lower trajectory and more control in my half shots,” DeChambeau explained about his ball choice. “The Left Dash is excellent in firm conditions, but in softer conditions, it spins too much. When hitting half shots, it doesn’t spin enough. Now, I’ve got a bit more spin across the board, which helps with control on the greens. We haven’t cracked the wet-dry condition dynamic yet, but we’re getting there. We’re testing some exciting prototypes, and I love pushing what’s possible with innovation.”
DeChambeau’s performance at Trump National Doral has been solid over two rounds. He sits among a small group of just three (joined by Sergio Garcia and Marc Leishman) who managed under-par scores in each of those rounds.
Should he continue this form on Sunday, he might clinch his first LIV victory since 2023 and walk into Augusta National as a serious contender, joined by the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
This time around, as DeChambeau heads down Magnolia Lane, those previously lingering doubts about his ability to tackle the revered grounds of Augusta seem hardly relevant to someone now at peace with himself and his life choices.
