Masters 2020: Bryson DeChambeau Toys with 48-Inch Driver at Augusta

Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau played a practice round together Monday Date: November 12-15 Location: Augusta National Coverage: Radio and text commentary online with in-play clips. Daily Highlights on BBC Two – full details here

Bryson DeChambeau is toying with the idea of ​​using a 48-inch driver at the Masters this week in an attempt to gain even more distance off the tee.

The American arrives in Augusta as the favorite after overwhelming Winged Foot to win the US Open in September.

He is the tallest driver on the PGA Tour, averaging 344 meters, but actually hit a 403 meter shot in the air.

DeChambeau said the results were "really promising" after testing the new driver with the longest allowed axle. .

"I'm not 100% sure I'm going to play it in the game because of the unknown, it's so close to the Masters," said the 27-year-old, who has a scientific approach to the game and has added about 40 pounds in weight as part of its attempt to hit the ball further.

"But if it's an improvement on every facet of the launch conditions, then I don't see why not?"

A longer shaft helps generate more clubhead speed on impact, which translates to further ball hitting. And the closer he can get to greens from the tee, the more control he can have with his approach shots.

The number six in the world added: "I tested it for the first time on Monday. Time. We went through at least three or four iterations of the axis and this is the most promising so far.

"I had about a four or five miles per hour increase in ball speed, I got my swing speed on the range to 143 / 144mph, and the spread is the same, the spin speed was even lower.

"So it looks really promising now. Didn't expect it to work yesterday, I was like," this is going to take more time ", but it worked. ”

However, the 27-year-old says whether he can win a first Green Jacket this week depends not only on how far he can hit the ball.

"I can hit it as far as I want, but it will drop and chip," said DeChambeau.

"That's one of the things I think people sometimes have a hard time seeing. As much as I get an advantage on the tee, I still need to chip well, right well and well wedges, even iron, play it well.

"That's what I did at the US Open. If I don't put it right at the US Open, don't lock it down, don't hit my irons close, I won't win that tournament. "

Can Newbie Make Masters History?

No player has won the Masters on their first try since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

Collin Morikawa, who won the US PGA Championship at his second major appearance in August, and fellow countryman Matthew Wolff, second in the US Open, want to change that.

"I don't be afraid of course, ”said 23-year-old Morikawa, the world's number four. "I believe I can parse a course and figure out my best chance of getting a good score.

" Experience never hurts. I wish I had played here 15, 20 times, I wish I had that knowledge. That will grow over the years. I keep coming back and keep playing, but for now I have to feel like I can still compete with these guys. "

Wolff, 21, has climbed to 14th place in the rankings after being placed in the top five in the past two majors.

"If there was a time, it would be now", Wolff said of someone who follows Zoeller. "I think the wave level here is unprecedentedly high right now.

"Because of Covid, it's a shame, but since there aren't any fans here, I think that could definitely change the dynamics of everything.

“If you go down the trajectory with a one-shot lead, it's definitely a little more relaxed without thousands upon thousands of fans sitting behind the green watching your every shot. "

Will Hooded Hatton Change Happiness?

England's Tyrrell Hatton arrives on the back of a successful season, claiming his first PGA Tour title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and also won the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth.

But the 29-year-old has yet to replicate that feat in the majors, missed the cut at the PGA Championship and US Open, with his best finish in three Masters appearances a tie for 44th in 2018.

"For me, 2020 on the golf course has been a very special year," said Hatton, who suggested he could wear his signature hoodie when the weather dictated in Augusta. "I think this is the best form I've had in getting into a major."