Bryson DeChambeau, matured in both game and attitude, opens with 65 to lead the Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — It took Bryson DeChambeau four years and 13 rounds to finally break par at Augusta National.

His par.

Or at least, what he once proclaimed to be his par.

DeChambeau birdied his first three holes Thursday, made five more over his last seven, and opened with a 65 to take the early lead at the Masters. It was his best round ever in the season’s first major, and only his second in the 60s since the once-brash, always-outspoken DeChambeau ruffled a few feathers among the green jackets.

Back in 2020, a bulked-up DeChambeau declared his power had rendered the par-72 layout a par 67, because he could reach Augusta National’s four par-5s in two and the short, par-4 third hole was reachable off the tee.

The comment came off as arrogance run amok, and DeChambeau got some comeuppance when he tied for 34th that year.

The former U.S. Open champion admitted Thursday that he has taken plenty of flack for it.