DeChambeau Attacks, Augusta National Bites Back

But the U.S. Open champion still managed a two-under-par 70 despite visiting some bizarre locations and double-bogeying the par-5 13th.

Ryan Lavner at Golf Channel.com writes:

How he easily cleared the deep bunkers on the left side of the 495-yard fifth hole.

Said Rahm, laughing: “There were a couple of them that were reality checks (for me).”

Even without any roll, DeChambeau hit hybrid into the uphill, par-5 eighth and had no more than 7-iron into the other three longest holes.

On eight par 4s he had 150 yards or less for his approach.

And yet, he didn’t have total control of his driver, averaging 334 yards off the tee but finding just eight of 14 fairways. Unlike at Winged Foot, where an errant drive put him in ankle-high rough that he was strong enough to escape from, DeChambeau was forced to delicately navigate through the trees on six holes, with varying degrees of success.