Golf

Bryson DeChambeau pointing the way to Masters challenge

The American took marshalling duties into his own hands during a second round 73 at a windswept Augusta National.

Bryson DeChambeau was involved in an unusual incident during the second round of the Masters (David J. Phillip/AP)
Bryson DeChambeau was involved in an unusual incident during the second round of the Masters (David J. Phillip/AP) (David J. Phillip/AP)
By Phil Casey, PA Golf Correspondent, Augusta

Bryson DeChambeau took marshalling duties into his own hands as he maintained his bid for a second major title in the 88th Masters.

DeChambeau added a second round of 73 to his opening 65 at a windswept Augusta National, with one of the former US Open champion’s three birdies coming in unorthodox fashion on the 13th.

After hitting his tee shot into the trees, DeChambeau opted to hit his second shot towards the adjacent 14th fairway, but not before taking it upon himself to remove a sizeable signpost.

“Yeah, I picked up the signpost. I was trying to direct people. Trying to get people to go to the restrooms,” DeChambeau joked in his post-round press conference.

“For me it was pretty much the only option. I was looking at an opportunity to hit it back into the 13th fairway, but I knew I could hit one around the corner down 14 fairway and have a 140 to 150-yard shot in.

“So I decided to do that, and the Patrons were nice enough to move over to the side to make sure it was wide enough so if I hit one errant, nobody would get hit by the ball.

“I hit a great shot around the corner and was able to take advantage of a pretty open entrance to the green at that back right flag and made a nice birdie putt.”

Bryson DeChambeau hits from the bunker on the second hole during the second round of the Masters (George Walker IV/AP)
Bryson DeChambeau hits from the bunker on the second hole during the second round of the Masters (George Walker IV/AP) (George Walker IV/AP)

DeChambeau revealed his new set of irons were only approved by the USGA 48 hours before play got under way on Thursday.

“I have to say, it was pretty close,” he added. “We didn’t really think it was going to be non-conforming but they were, just the groove edge was just too sharp.

“Last week we found out literally Thursday afternoon that they were non-conforming from the USGA.

“And then we worked on them all over the weekend, and finally Tuesday morning we got them to where they were in a place where they were conforming and was ready to go.”