Bryson DeChambeau balances aggression and patience at the Masters

DeChambeau’s new approach is paying off as he stays in contention at Augusta.

Bryson DeChambeau of the United States hits from the fairway during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2025. Photo by Simon Bruty/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Bryson DeChambeau at the Masters has long been a subject of fascination and controversy. But on Friday at Augusta National, the 2020 US Open champion showed that he may finally be ready to win a green jacket—not by overpowering the course, but by mastering it. After a measured four-under-par 68, DeChambeau finds himself just one shot off the lead at seven-under through two rounds, demonstrating a more refined game and a new mental approach.

The man who once infamously declared Augusta National to be a "par 67" for his power-packed game has now found a different path to success. “It's a daily battle,” DeChambeau said after his round. “It's not easy to try and be more conservative when you know the leaders are starting to run away.”

For DeChambeau, who has struggled to match his lofty expectations at the Masters in years past, the journey has been as much mental as physical. “You've got to hit every shot in the bag,” he said. “You've got these little shelves in certain areas and these little fingers that you've got to hit the ball into. You have to hit a cut or a draw. It’s just difficult... the goal is to be patient and understanding.”

A new version of Bryson

Once known for his brash confidence and physics-based approach to golf, DeChambeau has undergone a transformation. While his physical strength remains a big part of his identity, it’s his improved emotional control and patience that have made the difference so far this week.

In past years, DeChambeau’s results at the Masters have been underwhelming. After finishing tied for 21st as an amateur in 2016, he repeatedly failed to break into the top 25 in the following six appearances. His controversial comments in 2020, when he described Augusta as a par 67 for him due to his driving distance, only added to the scrutiny. He missed the cut in both 2022 and 2023, raising doubts about whether his aggressive style could ever produce consistent success at Augusta National.

But something changed in 2024. DeChambeau opened last year’s Masters with a brilliant 65 and found himself tied for the lead through two rounds. Though he eventually finished tied for sixth, it marked a turning point in his Augusta trajectory. He returned this year not with bold predictions, but with quiet confidence and a new understanding of the course.

A connection with Augusta’s patrons

If his game has changed, so too has his relationship with the Augusta gallery. Once seen as something of a villain by fans of the sport’s traditions, DeChambeau has experienced a shift in public perception. That’s partly due to his openness and charisma on his YouTube channel, which has offered fans a glimpse into his personality beyond the golf course.

“I think the patrons have always been great here,” DeChambeau said. “Even when I was in my trying times, I feel like there was still a lot of support. Now it just feels like a bolster of energy everywhere. It's quite different, and it's a lot of fun.”

DeChambeau’s performance on Friday certainly gave the patrons something to cheer about. Playing on a course softened by overnight rain, he took full advantage with a string of birdies on the front nine. His round included birdies on both front-nine par-fives, a stunning hole-out from a bunker on the fourth, and a clean birdie at the par-four fifth.

Staying focused in the moment

Despite the growing stakes as the weekend looms, DeChambeau insists that he’s focused on staying in the present. “I feel like I'm doing a really good job of just staying in the moment,” he said. “Not thinking about the next hole, not thinking about the putt, not thinking about anything else.”

That kind of mental discipline has not always come easily for DeChambeau. His intensely analytical mind can sometimes lead him to overthink. But in recent months, he has taken strides to simplify his thinking and focus on execution.

“When I get a little nervous, I go, ‘OK, it’s just a golf shot. Come on, focus, do it like you’ve always done it.’”

That reset mentality has helped DeChambeau avoid the emotional rollercoaster that once plagued his major championship rounds. Instead of getting rattled by a missed opportunity or a poor bounce, he’s been quick to bounce back and keep his head in the game.

LIV Golf influence and a new direction

Since joining LIV Golf, DeChambeau has also seen his schedule shift and his preparation evolve. While the breakaway league has sparked plenty of debate in the golf world, DeChambeau seems to have benefitted from the change of pace. The limited schedule has given him more time to rest, reflect, and refine his game.

“I think with the way things are set up now, I’ve been able to focus more on certain aspects of my game,” he said. “I’m not playing every single week. I’m not burning out. I can come into a major feeling fresh and ready to go.”

His current standing at the Masters is a testament to that readiness. After 36 holes, he trails only Justin Rose, who leads the field by one stroke. DeChambeau sits tied with several major contenders, including four-time major champion Rory McIlroy and rising Canadian Corey Conners.

With two rounds to play, DeChambeau knows the real test lies ahead. The Masters has a way of humbling even the most confident players. But for now, he’s in position—and in form.

Can DeChambeau finally break through?

The question now is whether Bryson DeChambeau at the Masters can finally complete the story arc. Once seen as a disruptor to the traditions of the game, he now seems poised to join Augusta’s most storied champions. But unlike past years, he’s not talking about his power or how he plans to conquer the course.

Instead, he’s talking about patience. He’s talking about presence. And most importantly, he’s showing it.

For golf fans, and especially for the patrons at Augusta National, that may be the most surprising—and refreshing—thing of all.

As DeChambeau heads into the weekend, just one shot off the lead, he carries the hopes of those who love the drama of a redemption story. If he can maintain his composure and continue his blend of strategic play and power, he might finally earn the green jacket that has eluded him.

Whatever happens, one thing is clear: Bryson DeChambeau at the Masters is no longer about bold declarations. It’s about maturity, adaptability, and the quiet confidence of a player who has learned from his past—and is ready for the future.