The Masters: Bryson DeChambeau weathers storm to share lead

AS IT STANDS -6 Scheffler, DeChambeau, Homa; -4 Hojgaard; -3 Morikawa, Davis; -2 Aberg SELECTED OTHERS – 1 Fleetwood;  +1 Woods; +4 McIlroy; +5 Rahm

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A trio of Americans defied howling winds to share the halfway lead at the Masters. 

In conditions described as “borderline unplayable” by former champion Charl Schwartzel, world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Max Homa relished a war of attrition at Augusta National.

DeChambeau’s one-over 73 was nothing if not entertaining. The former US Open champion mixed three birdies with four bogeys on a demanding afternoon – and was even spotted ripping out one of the giant signs that directs patrons to clear a route out of trouble on the 13th.

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“I’ve never experienced Augusta National in these conditions before,” he said. “Being able to stay patient and place the ball in the correct locations and just allow myself to be okay with not so great shots out there was a key aspect of me playing well.”

Remarkably, DeChambeau is leading the charge of LIV golfers at the Masters with a set of irons made on a 3D printer that were only made legal to use by the US Golf Association on Monday.

“I designed them with someone from back home, and they have just got a different curvature on the face than other equipment,” golf’s ‘Mad Scientist’ explained.  “Most equipment is flat. These have a different curvature on the face that allows me to have my mis-hits go a little straighter sometimes.”

His fellow Californian Homa had posted a solid 71 in the early wave, while Scheffler held on with a level par round as others fell away.

Scheffler’s playing partner Rory McIlroy failed to make a birdie all day and played himself out of contention with a 77. The defending champion Jon Rahm battled to make the cut but is 11 shots behind.

The European challenge is instead spearheaded by Nicolai Hojgaard, who, despite finishing with two bogeys, is just two back at minus four on his Masters bow.

“I hate shooting over par, especially when you end up making a couple of mistakes in the end,” the Danish debutant said. “Still, the game feels pretty good in general. I’m just very disappointed in how I made some silly mistakes on the last couple holes.”

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Collin Morikawa also weathered the chaos with an impressive two-under 70 and is poised just three back, alongside Australia’s Cameron Davis.

Ludvig Aberg is well placed at two-under after his 69, the only score in the 60s made all day. Tommy Fleetwood is a further shot adrift, with Cam Smith and Danny Willett for company at minus one.

Tiger Woods, meanwhile, broke the record for the most consecutive cuts made at Augusta, reaching the weekend for the 24th time in a row. The 48-year-old was in bullish mood after being forced to put his ailing body through 23 holes on Friday.

“It means I have a chance going into the weekend,” the five-time major champion said on his cut record. “I’m here. I have a chance to win the golf tournament.”

Big names to miss the cut included Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland.

Make sure you listen to the Masters daily commute episodes of The bunkered Podcast from Augusta.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.