Round 2 of the Masters is well underway Friday at Augusta National Golf Club, and Bryson DeChambeau has vaulted himself into contention as the Masters cut line approaches at the end of the day.
DeChambeau is a polarizing figure in the ongoing battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, but there’s no doubt he’s one of the most talented players on the planet. And popular, considering his nearly 1.9 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.
He apologized earlier this week for comments he made previously about Augusta National being a “par 67” when he was on his game.
The golf gods appear to be pleased, by this, as he’s charging up the leaderboard after opening the tournament with a 3-under-par 69 on Thursday.
So who is Bryson DeChambeau?
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Has Bryson DeChambeau won the Masters?
Bryson DeChambeau does not yet have a green jacket, but his trajectory at the tournament is on the rise.
Bryson DeChambeau Masters history
DeChambeau made his first appearance at Augusta for the 2016 Masters, where he finished 5 over to tie for 21st place and earn recognition as the low amateur. He turned professional later that year, and has appeared in every Masters since 2018.
That debut appearance at Augusta National has also been his best to date. He came close in 2019, shooting 4-under 284 for the week to tie for 29th place. Two years were not kind to DeChambeau, as he missed the cut in both 2022 and 2023.
In 2024, he led the tournament after a first-round 65 and tied for sixth.
He was among the top betting favorites ahead of this year’s tournament.
Bryson DeChambeau majors wins for LIV golfer
DeChambeau has two major wins to his name since turning professional.
Last summer, he won an epic duel with Rory McIlroy at Pinehurst to capture his second U.S. Open title.
He first won the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in New York, a tournament held without fans during the COVID pandemic. He trailed by two strokes heading into the final day, then closed the tournament with a flourish, shooting 3 under on Sunday to overtake Matthew Wolff, who’s now a member of the LIV Golf Tour alongside DeChambeau.
The Clovis, California, native has had brushes with the top of leaderboards in other majors, too. He tied for fourth at both the 2020 and 2023 PGA Championships, and he tied for eighth at the 2022 Open Championship.
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