Bryson DeChambeau says he will work on hitting from side slopes after admitting he felt ‘really uncomfortable’ at the Masters. The American had initially gone into the final round only two strokes behind leader Rory McIlroy – but he ended tied for fifth in an underwhelming climax to his week.
DeChambeau finished four shots away from McIlroy, the eventual champion who won a play-off against Justin Rose after they both scored 11 under par. The 31-year-old hit a double bogey on the par-four 11th hole to all but end his chances of winning the Masters for the first time. Having struggled over his shots on uneven ground, DeChambeau says he will be working with his iron to perfect his technique in those situations.
“I tried to hit the green up close,” DeChambeau said about the 15th hole, which he posted par on after initially sinking his approach shot into the water. “I was on a slide slope, I’ve gotta work on side slopes with my irons. I felt really uncomfortable on the side slope.
“And then I go and stuff one up on the next hole. It’s just the side slopes and not being comfortable. There’s a lot to take away from this week, a lot to learn, be proud of. A lot to be p***** about. I’ve learned a lot and I’m ready to take the challenge on again.”
In a slightly tense interview, a frustrated DeChambeau claimed that McIlroy had blanked him throughout Sunday. He said he did not talk to the Northern Irishman as they battled it out for the green jacket during the final round.
Asked ahead of the play-off about McIlroy’s mindset before facing Rose, the LIV Golf star bluntly responded: “No idea. He didn’t talk to me once, all day.”
Pressed further on the atmosphere in the players’ lounge, DeChambeau added: “Electric. I loved it, but he was just like… being focused, I guess. It’s not me, though.”
McIlroy lost some control midway through his final round before battling back, eventually defeating Rose thanks to his birdie in the play-off. DeChambeau said of watching his rival: “When you’re trying to win a major championship, especially out here, Sunday of the Augusta Masters, you have to just do it and get the job done. Do it right. There were times when he (McIlroy) looked like he had full control, and times when I was like, ‘What’s going on?’. It kind of looked like one of my rounds actually!”