Bryson DeChambeau does nothing by the book. He’s made a career out of zigging where other players zag and that has been on full display at Augusta National this week.
Using experimental 3D-printed irons, DeChambeau danced his way to the top of leaderboard on Friday afternoon. That’s when suddenly, without context or warning, the ESPN broadcast cut to DeChambeau on the par-5 13th hole carrying an Augusta National sign over his shoulder like a cross.
Ladies, gentleman and non-believers, the second coming of Bryson is finally upon us.
[Ben Walton / Golf Digest]
[Ben Walton / Golf Digest]
The backstory, as told by one of our Golf Digest photographers on the scene, is almost as unbelieveable as the image.
DeChambeau ballooned his tee shot right on 13 and into the trees. He played his second shot towards grandstand near the 14th tee, but when his ball came to a rest, the sign sat directly in his path back towards the 13th green. So the artist formerly known as Bryson Doyouevenliftbro simply went over and ripped the sign from the earth with his bare hands.
DeChambeau laid up out of trouble and eventually went on to birdie the hole. Even though Bryson isn’t bombing and gouging it quite like he used to, the bizarre episode – one of the most ridiculous escapes we’ve seen from the pine straw since Phil in 2010 – proved his gorilla-like ability to pick things up and put them down is still as potent as ever.
