AUGUSTA, Georgia — LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau used a burst of late birdies to push into a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler on Thursday at the Masters.
After a storm delayed the start of the year’s first major by 2½ hours, 2020 U.S. Open champion DeChambeau thrived in the softened but windy conditions and mixed eight birdies with one bogey for a 7-under-par 65.
DeChambeau, who raised eyebrows in 2020 when he said the par-72 Augusta National layout for him played more like a par-67, enjoyed a fast start as he opened with three straight birdie putts.
“I have a level of respect for this golf course that’s a little bit different than a couple years ago, and clearly today was a great test of golf, and I was able to conquer a very difficult golf course,” said DeChambeau, who is one of 13 LIV Golf players in the field.
“Regarding the 67 comment, you know, you mess up. I’m not a perfect person. Everybody messes up. You learn from your mistakes, and that was definitely one.”
World No. 1 and pre-tournament favorite Scheffler, playing in a high-profile group with Grand Slam-seeking Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, also rode a late birdie blitz to card a bogey-free 6-under-par 66. Scheffler, the 2022 Masters champion, was two under through 11 holes but caught fire with four birdies over his next five to pull within a shot of DeChambeau.
McIlroy, who is making his 10th attempt at completing a career Grand Slam of golf’s four majors, opened with a 71 while world No. 5 Schauffele carded a 72.
Tiger Woods was at minus-1 after 13 holes when play was suspended by darkness.
